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THE 


NEW  FOLLOWING  OF  CHRIST;^ 


OR, 


THE  WORDS  OF  OUR  LORD  AND  SAVIOUR 
JESUS   CHRIST: 


WITH 


A  COMMENTARY  FROM  THE  APOSTLES,  PROPHETS,  &c. 

getr$Ema\!|  abbey,*  • 

GETHSEMANl.  P.  0.  KY. 

I.OKD,    TO    WHOM     SHALL     WE     Gol      THOU     HAST 
THE     WORDS     OF     ETERNAL     LIFE. St,  Joku  vi.  69. 

Words  of  Simon  Feter  to  Jesus  Christ. 


^e.^'^'y?  t^^^Jf— 


JVE  W    YORK: 

EDWARD   DUNIGAN,  151  FULTON   STREET. 

1846. 


Entered  according    to   act  of   Congress,  in  the    year   1846,  by 

WILLIAM  J.  WALTER. 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court,  of  the  Eastern  District  of 

Pennsylvania. 


LOAN 


STAC*i 


STEREOTYPED    BY 

MoaBiDQB  AND  M'Cartt Philad. 


M.  Fithian,  Printer. 


BX  ^  ^  f  o 


^V6 


MAI^> 


TO 


JOHN  HENRY   NEWMAN,  B.D., 


AND 


HIS  BRETHREN, 


WHOSE    CONVICTIONS     HAVE    LED    THEM    TO 


THE    ONE    FOLD, 


THESS    WORDS    OI" 


THE    ONE    SHEPHERD, 


ARE     AFFECTIONATELY 


INSCRIBED. 


T-spe; 


Ji-35 


The  New  Following  of  Christ  ;  or,  The  Words 
OF  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  with 
A  Commentary  from  the  Apostles,  Prophets, 
&,c. 
From  the  plan  of  this  work,  and  a  hasty  glance 

at   its  contents  ;   as  well  as  from  the  well-known 

character  of  the  author,  I  feel  convinced  that  it  is 

well  calculated  to  afford  edification. 

Given  under  my  hand,  at  Philadelphia,  this  6th 

day  of  June,  1846.  , 

j  FRANCIS  PATRICK  KENRICK, 

Bishop  of  Philadelphia. 

(4) 


GETHSEMANi  ABBL/, 

CONSENTS. 


Paob 

Introductory,     .......  9 

The  Example  of  Christ,     -           -           -           -           .           -  11 

Christ,  the  Way,  the  Truth,  and  the  Life,     -          -          _  13 
Christ,  the  Truth,  --.....14 

Christ,  the  Life,            -.-...  1$ 

The  Word  of  God,             --..--  17 

The  Word  of  Truth,     ......  19 

Rfght  Use  of  the  Scriptures,         .          -          ...  20 
False  Prophets,              ......          22—24 

Danger  of  following  False  Prophets,  ...           -  25 

Judgments  denounced  against  False  Prophets,  -           -           .  28 

Hatred  of  the  Truth,    ------  30 

Rejection  of  the  Truth,      -..---  33 

Christ,  the  Desired  of  Nations,           ....  36 

Christ,  the  Expected  of  Nations,  .           -           -           -           .  38 

Christ,  the  Orient  from  on  High,         -           -           _           .  40 

Christ,  the  Son  of  the  Virgin,       -           -           -           .           .  43 

The  Holy  Name  of  Jesus,        .           -          -           -           .  44 

The  '  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,'       -          -          .          -          -  45 

Mission  of  Christ,         ......  47 

The  Church,  ..--...49 

Authority  of  the  Church,         -----  51 

Christ,  the  Good  Shepherd,           -          -          ...  53 

Christ,  the  Great  Shepherd  of  the  Sheep,      ...  56 

Christ,  the  One  Shepherd  of  the  One  Fold,         -           -           -  57 

The  Preaching  of  the  Word,    -           .           .           -           _  59 

Ministry  of  the  Word  exemplified  in  St.  Paul.   -           -           -  61 

*  Doers  of  the  Word,  not  Hearers  only,'        -           -           _  63 

Christ,  the  Charity  of,        -           -           -           -           -           -  65 

Christ,  who  for  our  sakes  became  poor,         -           _           -  67 

Ashamed  of  Christ,            ...-._  gg 

Denial  of  Christ,           .---._  71 

Confession  of  Christ,         --..--  72 

Christ,  Meekness  of,      -----           -  74 

Fajth,  ------..75 

Want  of  Faith,  -..-._.  77 

!•  (5) 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Page 

The  Power  of  Faith, 78 

Examples  of  the  Power  of  Faith,        -           -           -           _  80 

Christ,  the  Object  of  our  Faith,    -           -           -           _           _  81 

Christ,  the  Author  and  Finisher  of  our  Faith,           -           -  83 

The  Power  of  Working  Miracles,            -           -           _           _  84 

Christ,  the  Hope  of  Glory,       -           -           _           .           _  86 

The  Charity  of  Christ,        -___._  gg 

Return  of  Love,             ---___  gg 
Charity,      ---.....92 

The  New  Commandment,        .           -           -           .           _  93 

Love  of  our  Neighbor,        ------  94 

Charity  to  the  Poor,      -----«  96 

A  Cheerful  Giver,  -  -  -  --  .  -96 

The  Grace  of  God,        -.--._  100 

The  Power  of  Grace,    -           .  y       .          -           -           .  lOi 

Sanctifying  Grace,             .--.__  J03 

Love  of  our  Enemies,  -----_  104 

Fraternal  Admonition,       --__«_  106 

Rash  Judgment,            ----__  107 

Christ  who  taught  us  to  Pray,      -           -           -           _           _  108 

Watchfulness  and  Prayer,       -           -           -           -           -  no 

Temptation,            ----__..  m 

Lead  us  not  into  Temptation,  -           -           -           -           -  113 

The  Eight  Beatitudes  —The  Poor  in  Spirit,        -           -           -  115 

Blessed  are  the  Mourners,        -           -           -           -           -  116 

Hunger  and  Thirst  after  Justice,  -           -           -           -           -  119 

The  Merciful,     -           -           -           -           -           -      ,     -  121 

Mercy  and  not  Sacrifice,    -----_  123 

The  Clean  in  Heart,      -           -           -           -    "      -           -  125 

Blessed  are  the  Peacemakers,          -       -           -           -           -  126 

The  Peace  of  God,        ----_.  128 

No  Peace  for  the  Wicked,             -----  129 

Persecution  for  Christ's  sake,             .           _           _           _  130 

Christ,  the  Joy  of  Confessors,      -           -           -  .        -           -  133 

Christ,  the  Strength  of  Martyrs,          -           -           .           .  135 
Gratitude  to  God,   -           -           -           -           -           -           -136 

Guardian  Angels,          -----.  I39 

Trusting  in  Ourselves,       ---__.  140 

Presumption,     -------  142 

Humility,     --------  144 

Whom  the  Lord  loveth  He  chastiseth,           -          .          -.  145 

Tribulation,            .--.--_-  148 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

Page 

Christ,  whose  Yoke  is  sweet,  and  whose  Burden  is  light,         -  151 

Joy  in  the  Lord,            --_.__  ]53 

Purity  of  Intention,           _-_..-  155 

Luitewarmness,             --___.  156 

Zeal  according  to  Knowledge,      -           -           .           .           .  158 

Government  of  the  Tongue,     -           .           -           _           _  159 

Danger  of  Riches,  -----..  I6I 

Man's  True  Treasure,  ------  163 

Value  of  the  Soul,             ......  164 

The  Evangelical  Counsel,          -----  165 

The  Lamb  of  God  who  taketh  away  the  ain3  of  the  World,    -  167 

We  all  have  Sinned,    ------  169 

The  Forgiveness  of  Sins,  -           -           .                       -           .  170 

Relapse  into  Sin,          ----•-.  172 

Penance,     ------..  174 

Patience,           --.---.  176 

The  Patience  of  God,         -._...  177 

Impenitence,      -------  179 

Self  Mortification,             ------  181 

Fasting,  -----._.  133 

The  Freedom  wherewith  Christ  has  made  U3  Free,       -           -  185 

The  Greater  Glory  of  God,      -           -           -           -           .  187 

The  Cross  of  Christ,          -----.  189 

The  Force  of  Prejudice,           ~           -           -           .           .  190 

Counsels  against  Anger,    ------  192 

Resignation  to  the  Divine  Will,          -           -           -           _  193 
Serving  Two  Masters.       -           -           -           -           _           -    .    194 

God,  who  Knoweth  and  Seeth  all  Things,     -  -  -         ,    196 

Lip-Service,            ---__._  197 

God,  the  Searcher  of  Hearts,  -           -           -           .           _  2OO 

The  Narrow  Way,             ---___  20I 

On  Covetousness,         _--___  202 

Renouncing  all  for  Christ,             -           -           -           -           _  203 

Spiritual  Mindedness,   ----..  205 

Jesus  Christ  the  True  God,  equal  with  the  Father,         -           -  207 

The  Love  of  Christ  to  his  Chosen  People,      -           -           -  210 

Christ,  our  High  Priest,      ----_.  212 

The  Ministers  of  God,            -               -            -           -           -  213 

The  Temple  of  God,           -           -           -           -           -           -  215 

The  Sending  of  the  Holy  Spirit,          -           -           .           _  217 

Christ,  the  Physician  of  our  Souls,          -           -           -           -  219 

Self-Examination,         ------  222 

Fear  of  the  Lord,    -------  223 


via  CONTENTS. 

Page 

Confession  of  Sins,       -  ^  -  .  -  -  225 

Confession  of  Sins,  Examples  of,  -  -  -  -  227 

Clirist,  tlie  Water  springing  up  to  Life  Everlasting,  -  -  231 

Clirisi,  tlie  Bread  wtiich  cometh  down  from  Heaven,     -  -  233 

Jesus  Christ,  Force  of  liia  Love  to  Man,        _  -  _  234 

Solicitude  for  the  Morrow,  -----  236 

The  Night  cometh,  when  no  Man  can  Work,  -  -  238 

Perseverence  to  the  End,      ------  239 

The  Dead  that  die  in  the  Lord,  -  -  -  -  241 

It  is  appointed  for  all  Men  once  to  Die,    -  -  -  -  242 

Death  of  the  Wicked,  ------  244 

Death  of  the  Just,  -------  246 

Not  to  Mourn  for  the  Dead  as  Men  without  Hope,    -  -  247 

Christ,  having  Loved  us.  He  Loved  us  to  the  End,    -  -  250 

The  Obedience  of  Christ,  ------  253 

Christ,  our  Redeemer,  ------  254 

Christ,  the  Redeemer  of  the  World,         -  -  -  -  256 

The  Death  of  Christ, -  258 

Christ,  who  hath  Overcome  the  World,      -  -        -  -  260 

The  Resurrection  of  Christ,    -----  262 

Christ,  the  Resurrection  and  the  Life,     -  -  -  -  263 

Christ,  the  First  Fruits  of  them  that  Sleep,    -  -  -  265 

Fruits  of  the  Resurrection,  -----  267 

Ascension  of  Christ,     ------  268 

Christ,  at  the  Right  Hand  of  God,  in  Glory,        -  -  -  270 

The  Second  Coming  of  Christ,  -  -  _  -  272 

Christ,  the  Judge  of  the  Living  and  the  Dead,   -  -  -  274 

Heaven,  --------  276 

Hell, 278 

Life  Everlasting,  ------  280 

The  Truth  of  God  Endureth  Forever,      -  -  -  -  281 

A  Prayer  for  the  Wisdom  that  is  from  Above,  -  -  283 


INTRODUCTORY. 

[From  Psalm  118.] 

Blessf.d  are  the  undefiled  ia  the  way,  who  walk  in  the 
law  of  the  Lord.  Blessed  are  they  that  search  his  testi- 
monies; that  seek  Him  with  their  whole  heart.  For  they 
that  work  iniquity,  have  not  walked  in  his  ways.  The 
wicked  have  told  me  fables,  but  not  as  thy  law. 

Thou  art  near,  0  Lord,  and  all  thy  ways  are  truth.  I 
have  gone  astray  like  a  sheep  that  is  lost ;  seek  thy  ser- 
vant, because  I  have  not  forgotten  thy  commandments. 
Direct  my  steps  according  to  thy  word,  and  let  no  iniquity 
have  dominion  over  me.  Lead  me  into  the  path  of  thy 
commandments  ;  for  this  same  I  have  desired. 

Thy  word  is  a  lamp  to  my  feet,  and  a  light  to  my  paths. 
Make  thy  face  to  shine  upon  thy  servant,  and  teach  me  thy 
justifications.  The  declaration  of  thy  words  giveth  light ; 
and  giveth  understanding  to  little  ones.  Open  Thou  my 
eyes,  and  I  will  consider  the  wondrous  things  of  thy  law. 

With  my  whole  heart  have  I  sought  after  Thee ;  let  me 
not  stray  from  thy  commandments.  Thy  words  have  I  hid- 
den in  my  heart,  that  I  may  not  sin  against  Thee.  The  free 
offerings  of  my  mouth  make  acceptable,  0  Lord,  and  teach 
me  thy  judgments.  Much  peace  have  they  that  love  thy 
law,  and  to  them  there  is  no  stumbling-block. 

I  will  meditate  on  thy  commandments,  and  I  will  con- 
sider thy  ways.  I  am  a  sojourner  on  the  earth ;  hide  not 
thy  commandments  from  me.  Thy  justifications  were  the 
subject  of  my  song,  in  the  place  of  my  pilgrimage.  I  med- 
itated also  on  thy  commandments,  which  I  loved  ;  thy  law, 
0  Lord!  it  is  my  meditation  all  the  day. 

Seven  times  a  day  I  have  given  praise  to  Thee,  for  the 
judgments  of  thy  justice.  In  the  night  I  have  remembered 
thy  name  O  Lord ;  I  rose  at  midnight  to  give  praise  to 
Thee ;  I  prevented  the  dawning  of  the  dav,  and  cried,  be- 

(9) 


1 0  INTRODUCTORY. 

cause  in  thy  words  I  very  much  hoped.  My  eyes  to  Thee 
have  prevented  the  morning,  that  I  might  meditate  on  thy 
words. 

I  cried  with  my  whole  heart,  hear  me,  O  Lord.  I  cried 
unto  Thee,  save  me ;  I  am  thine,  save  Thou  me :  for  I 
have  sought  thy  justifications.  Be  Thou  mindful  of  th}'- 
word  to  thy  servant,  in  which  Thou  hast  given  me  hope. 
Thy  justifications  I  will  never  forget,  for  by  them  Thou 
hast  given  me  life. 

I  know,  O  Lord,  that  thy  judgments  are  equity,  and  in 
thy  truth  Thou  hast  humbled  me.  I  have  been  humbled, 
O  Lord,  exceedingly ;  quicken  Thou  me  according  to  thy 
word.  Before  I  was  humbled,  I  offended ;  it  is  good  for 
me  that  Thou  hast  humbled  me,  that  1  may  learn  thy  jus- 
tifications. This  hath  comforted  me  in  my  humiliation, 
because  thy  word  hath  enlivened  me. 

Pierce  Thou  my  flesh  with  thy  fear;  for  I  am  afraid  of 
thy  judgments.  My  soul  hath  fainted  after  thy  salvation, 
and  in  thy  word  I  have  very  much  hoped.  I  will  keep  thy 
justifications;  O!  do  not  Thou  utterly  forsake  me.  O!  let 
thy  mercy  be  for  my  comfort,  according  to  thy  v/ord  unto 
thy  servant.  Let  thy  tender  mercies  come  unto  me,  and  I 
shall  live. 

I  have  been  delighted  in  the  way  of  thy  testimonies,  as 
in  all  riches.  The  law  of  thy  mouth  is  good  to  me,  above 
thousands  of  gold  and  silver.  I  will  rejoice  at  thy  words, 
as  one  that  hath  found  great  spoil.  How  sweet  are  thy 
words  to  my  palate,  more  than  honey  to  my  mouth. 

I  remembered,  O  Lord,  thy  judgments  of  old,  and  I  was 
comforted.  I  have  known  from  the  beginning  concerning 
thy  testimonies,  that  Thou  hast  founded  them  for  ever.  I 
have  purchased  thy  testimonies  for  an  inheritance  forever, 
because  they  are  the  joy  of  my  heart.  For  ever,  0  Lord, 
thy  word  standeth  firm  in  heaven ;  Thy  truth  unto  all 
generations. 


THE 

NEW  FOLLOWING  OF  CHRIST. 


/  am  the  light  of  the  World :  he  that  followeth 
me,  walketh  not  in  darkness,  hut  shall  have  the  light 
of  life.     John  viii.  12. 

Words  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees. 

The  people  that  walked  in  darkness,  have  seen  a  great 
light;  to  them  that  dwelt  in  the  region  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  light  is  arisen.  (Isa.  ix.  2.)  Come  let  us  go  up  to  the 
mountain  of  the  Lord,  to  the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob, 
and  He  will  teach  us  his  ways,  and  we  will  walk  in  Iris 
paths.  . . .  Come  ye,  and  let  us  walk  in  the  light  of  the 
Lord.     (Isa.  ii.  3,  5.) 

The  Lord  waiteth  that  He  may  have  mercy  on  you: 
blessed  are  they  that  wait  for  Him.  He  will  not  cause 
thy  teacher  to  flee  away  from  thee  anymore:  thine  eyes 
shall  behold  thy  teacher,  and  thy  ears  shall  hear  the  word 
of  him  who  thus  admonisheth  thee ;  « This  is  the  way ; 
walk  ye  in  it :  and  go  not  aside  either  to  the  right  hand  or 
to  the  left."     (Isa.  xxx.  18—21.) 

Knowest  thou  not,  or  hast  thou  not  heard,  that  the  ever- 
lasting God,  the  Lord,  the  Creator  of  the  ends  of  the  earth 
fainteth  not,  nor  laboreth  1  that  there  is  no  searching  out 
of  his  wisdom  1  It  is  He  that  giveth  strength  to  the  weary, 
and  increaseth  force  and  might  to  them  that  have  them 
not.  Youths  shall  faint  and  labor;  yea,  the  young  shall 
fall  through  weakness:  but  they  that  hope  in  the  Lord 

(11) 


12  CHRIST    THE    LIGHT    OF    THE    WORLD. 

shall  renew  their  strength;  they  shall  take  wings  as 
eagles ;  they  shall  run,  and  not  be  weary ;  they  shall  walk 
and  not  faint,     (ha.  xl.  28 — 31.) 

He  that  saith  he  abideth  in  Christ,  ought  himself  also 
to  walk,  even  as  he  walketh ;  .  .  .  because  the  darkness 
is  past,  and  the  true  light  now  shineth.  (John.  ii.  6.  8.)  Be 
ye,  therefore,  followers  of  God,  as  most  dear  children ;  and 
walk  in  love,  as  Christ  also  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  deliv- 
ered himself  for  us,  an  oblation  and  a  sacrifice  to  God,  for 
an  odour  of  sweetness  .  .  .  You  were  heretofore  in  dark- 
ness, but  are  now  light  in  the  Lord.  Walk  ye  as  children 
of  the  light ;  for  the  fruit  of  the  light  is  in  all  goodness, 
and  justice,  and  truth.  Have  no  fellowship  with  the  un- 
fmitful  works  of  darkness.     (Eph.  v.  1 — 11.) 

This  is  the  declaration  which  we  have  heard  from 
Christ,  and  declare  unto  you :  That  God  is  light ;  and  that 
in  Him  there  is  no  darkness.  If  we  say  that  we  have  fel- 
lowship with  Him,  and  walk  in  darkness,  we  lie,  and  do 
not  the  truth.  But  if  we  walk  in  the  light,  as  He  also  is 
in  the  light,  we  have  fellowship  one  towards  another,  and 
the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin. — 
(1  John.  i.  5 — 7.)  ' 

We  cease  not  to  pray  for  you,  and  to  beg  that  you  may 
be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  his  will,  in  all  wisdom,  and 
spiritual  understanding;  that  you  may  walk  worthy  of 
God,  in  all  things  pleasing ;  being  fruitful  in  every  good 
work,  and  increasing  in  the  knowledge  of  God ;  strength- 
ened with  all  might,  according  to  the  power  of  his  glory, 
in  all  patience  and  long-suffering  with  joy;  giving  thanks 
to  God  the  Father,  who  hath  made  us  worthy  to  be  parta- 
kers of  the  lot  of  the  saints  in  light:  Who  hath  delivered 
us  from  the  power  of  darkness,  and  hath  translated  us  into 
the  kingdom  of  his  beloved  Son,  in  whom  we  have  redemp- 
tion through  his  blood,  the  remission  of  sins.  (^Col.  i.  9 — 14.) 


CHRIST    THE    WAY.  13 


CHRIST  THE  WAY,  THE  TRUTH,  AND  THE  LIFE. 

/  am  the  Way,  and  the  Truth,  and  the  Life.  No 
man  corneth  to  the  Father  but  by  me.    John  xiv.  6. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  Thomas. 

And  a  path  and  a  way  shall  there  be ;  and  it  shall  be 
called  the  Holy  Way :  the  unclean  shall  not  pass  over  it ; 
and  it  shall  be  unto  you  a  strait  way,  so  that  fools  shall 
not  err  therein.  The  delivered  of  the  Lord  shall  walk 
therein,  and  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and 
shall  come  into  Zion  will  praise,  and  everlasting  joy  shall 
be  upon  their  heads  ;  joy  and  gladness  shall  be  their  por- 
tion, and  sorrow  and  mourning  shall  flee  away.  (/sa. 
XXXV.  8 — 10.) 

With  my  whole  heart  have  I  sought  after  Thee,  O  Lord ; 
let  me  not  stray  from  thy  commandments.  I  have  been 
delighted  in  the  way  of  thy  testimonies,  as  in  all  riches. 
I  will  meditate  on  thy  commandments  ;  I  will  consider  thy 
ways.  I  have  chosen  the  way  of  truth;  thy  judgments  I 
have  not  forgotten  1  I  have  run  the  way  of  thy  command- 
ments, when  Thou  didst  enlarge  my  heart.  (Ps.  cxviii. 
14,  15,  30,  32.) 

We  cease  not  to  pray  for  you,  and  to  beg  that  you  may 
be  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  his  will,  in  all  wisdom,  and 
spiritual  understanding;  that  you  may  walk  worthy  of 
God,  in  all  things  pleasing ;  being  fruitful  in  every  good 
work,  and  increasing  in  the  knowledge  of  God ;  strength- 
ened with  all  might,  according  to  the  power  of  his  glory, 
in  all  patience  and  long  suffering  with  joy;  giving  thanks 
to  God  the  Father,  who  hath  made  us  worthy  to  be  par- 
takers of  the  lot  of  the  saints  in  light:     Who  hath  deliv- 

3 


14  CHRIST    THE    TRUTH. 

ered  us  from  the  power  of  darkness,  and  hath  translated 
us  into  the  kingdom  of  his  beloved  Son,  in  whom  we  have 
redemption  through  his  blood, the  remission  of  sins.  (^Col. 
i.  9,  U.) 

Having,  therefore,  brethren,  a  confidence  in  the  entering 
into  the  sanctuary  through  the  blood  of  Christ, — a  new  and 
living  way,  which  he  hath  consecrated  for  us  through  the 
veil  (that  is,  his  flesh  ;)  let  us  draw  near  with  a  true  heart 
in  fulness  of  faith,  having  our  hearts  sprinkled  from  an 
evil  conscience.  {Heb.  x.  19,  22.)  Therefore,  being  just- 
ified by  faith,  let  us  have  peace  with  God,  through  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  by  whom  also  we  have  access  to  the 
grace  wherein  we  stand,  and  glory  in  the  hope  of  the 
glory  of  the  sons  of  God.     (Rom.  v.  1.  2.) 


CHRIST  THE  TRUTH. 

If  you  continue  in  my  word,  you  shall  be  my 
disciples  indeed  ;  and  you  shall  know  the  Truth. — 
John  viii.  31,  32. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

To  Thee,  O  Lord,  have  I  lifted  up  my  soul ;  show  thy 
ways  to  me,  and  teach  me  thy  paths.  Direct  me  in  thy 
Truth  and  teach  me ;  for  Thou  art  God  my  Saviour.  All 
the  ways  of  the  Lord  are  mercy  and  truth  to  them  that 
seek  after  his  covenant  and  his  testimonies  ;  for  thy  mercy 
is  before  my  eyes,  and  I  take  delight  in  thy  Truth.  {Ps. 
xxiv.  1 — 5,  XXV.  3.) 

The  Word  was  made  flesh,  and  dwelt  amongst  us  ;  and 
we  saw  his  glory,  the  glory  as  of  the  only  begotten  of  the 
Father,  full  of  grace  and  truth  . . .  And  of  his  fulness  we 
have  all  received,  and  grace  for  grace.    For  the  law  was 


CHRIST   THE    TRUTH.  15 

given  by  Moses  :  grace  and  truth  came  by  Jesus  Christ. 
{John  i.  14—17.) 

It  is  the  Spirit  that  testifieth  that  Christ  is  the  Truth. 
And  we  know  that  the  Son  of  God  is  come,  and  hath  given 
us  understanding,  that  we  may  know  the  true  God,  and 
may  be  in  his  true  Son.  This  is  the  true  God,  and  eternal 
life.     (2  John  v.  6,  20.) 

I  therefore  beseech  you  that  you  walk  worthy  of  the  vo- 
cation in  which  you  are  called,  .  . .  till  we  all  meet  in  the 
unity  of  faith,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God, 
unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of  the  age  of  the 
fulness  of  Christ.  That  we  may  not  now  be  children, 
tossed  to  and  fro,  and  carried  about  by  every  wind  of  doc- 
trine, in  the  wickedness  of  men,  in  craftiness  by  which 
they  lie  in  wait  to  deceive.  But,  that  performing  the  truth 
in  charity,  we  may  in  all  things  grow  up  in  him  who  is 
the  head,  Christ. 

This,  then,  I  say  and  testify  in  the  Lord,  that  hencefor- 
ward you  walk  not  as  the  Gentiles  walk,  in  the  vanity  of 
their  mind,  having  the  understanding  obscured  with  dark- 
ness, alienated  from  the  life  of  God  through  the  ignorance 
which  is  in  them,  because  of  the  blindness  of  their  heart. 
. . .  But  you  have  not  so  learned  Christ:  if  yet  you  have 
heard  Him,  and  have  been  taught  in  Him,  as  the  Truth 
is  in  Jesus.    {Eph.  iv.  1,  13,  l.*),  17 — 21.) 

Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  faithful  witness,  the  first-be- 
gotten of  the  dead,  and  the  prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth ; 
who  hath  loved  us,  and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his 
blood,  and  hath  made  us  a  kingdom  and  priests  to  God  and 
his  Father ;  to  Him  be  glory  and  empire  for  ever  and  ever. 
Amen.    (Apoc.  i.  5,  6.) 


16  CHRIST    THE    LIFE. 


CHRIST  THE  LIFE. 

Ametij  amen,  I  say  to  you,  if  any  man  keep  my 
word,  he  shall  not  see  death  for  ever.  .  .  My  sheep 
hear  any  voice ;  and  I  know  them,  and  they  follow 
me:  and  I  give  (nem  life  everlasting ;  ana  they 
shall  not  pensn  for  ever,  and  no  man  shall  snatch 
them  out  of  my  hand.  .  .  /  am  come  that  they  may 
have  life,  and  may  tiave  it  more  abundantly.  John 
viii.  51.  X.  27,28,  10. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Ix  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was 
with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  .  .  In  Him  was  life  ; 
and  the  life  was  the  light  of  men.  (John  i.  1,  4.)  The 
Father  loveth  the  Son,  and  showeth  him  all  things  which 
himself  doeth ;  and  greater  works  than  these  will  he  show 
him,  that  you  may  wonder.  For  as  the  Father  raiseth  up 
the  dead,  and  giveth  life ;  so  the  Son  also  giveth  life  to 
whom  He  will.     (Johii  v.  20,  21.) 

He  that  believeth  in  the  Son  of  God,  hath  the  testimony 
of  God  in  himself.  He  that  believeth  not  the  Son,  maketh 
Him  a  liar:  because  he  believeth  not  in  the  testimony 
which  God  hath  testified  of  his  Son.  And  this  is  the  tes- 
timony that  God  hath  given  to  us — Eterxal  Life  :  and 
this  life  is  in  his  Son.  He  that  hath  the  Son,  hath  life  : 
he  that  hath  not  the  Son,  hath  not  life.  These  things  I 
write  to  you,  that  you  may  know  you  have  eternal  life, 
who  believe  in  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God.  (1  John  v. 
10—13.) 

Whoever  drinketh  of  this  water  [of  Jacob's  well,]  shall 
thirst  again :  but  he  that  shall  drink  of  the  water  that  I 


THE    WORD    OF    GOD.  17 

shall  give  him,  shall  not  thirst  forever.  But  the  water  that 
I  shall  give  him,  shall  become  in  him  a  fountain  of  water, 
springing  up  unto  everlasting  life.  {John  iv.  13,  14.)  The 
Lamb,  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne,  shall  rule  them, 
and  shall  lead  them  to  the  fountains  of  the  waters  of  life. 
To  him  that  thirsteth  I  will  give  of  the  fountain  of  the 
water  of  life,  gratuitously.  And  he  showed  me  a  river  of 
water  of  life,  clear  as  crystal,  proceeding  from  the  throne 
of  God,  and  of  the  Lamb ;  .  .  .  saying.  He  that  thirsteth, 
let  him  come;  and  he  that  will,  let  him  take  the  water  of 
life  freely.     {Apoc.  vii.  14.  xxi.  6.  xxii.  1,  17.) 

This  is  life  everlasting,  that  they  may  know  Thee,  the 
only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  thou  hast  sent. 
{John  xvii.3.)  Therefore,  if  you  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek 
the  things  that  are  above,  where  Christ  is  sitting  at  the 
right  hand  of  God.  Mind  the  things  that  are  above,  not 
the  things  that  are  on  earth.  For  you  are  dead,  and  your 
life  is  hidden  with  Christ  in  God.  When  Christ  shall 
appear,  who  is  your  life;  then  shall  you  also  appear  with 
Him  in  glory.     (Co/,  iii.  1 — 4.) 


THE  WORD  OF  GOD. 

Man  liveth  not  by  bread  alone^  but  by  every  word 
that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God.  (Matt.  iv. 
4.)  The  words  that  I  have  spoken  to  you,  are  spirit 
and  life.    John  vi.  64. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  Disciples. 

Hear,  O  ye  heavens,  the  things  that  I  speak ;  let  the 
earth  give  ear  to  the  words  of  my  mouth.  My  doctrine 
shall  drop  as  the  rain,  my  speech  shall  distil  as  the  dew; 

a* 


18  THE    WORD    OF    GOD. 

as  the  small  rain  upon  the  tender  herb,  and  as  showers 
upon  the  grass.     (Dent,  xxxii.  1,  2.) 

As  the  rain  and  the  snow  come  down  from  heaven,  and 
return  no  more  thither,  but  seek  the  earth  and  water  it, 
and  make  it  to  spring,  and  give  seed  to  the  sower  and 
bread  to  the  eater ;  so  shall  my  word  be,  which  shall  go 
forth  from  my  mouth :  it  shall  not  return  to  me  void,  but 
shall  do  whatsoever  I  please,  and  shall  prosper  in  the 
things  for  which  I  sent  it.     (Isa,  Iv.  10,  11.) 

I  have  been  delighted  in  the  way  of  thy  testimonies,  as 
in  all  riches;  I  have  meditated  on  thy  commandments, 
which  I  loved.  My  soul  hath  yearned  after  thy  salvation, 
and  in  thy  word  I  have  very  much  hoped.  O  how  have 
I  loved  thy  law,  O  Lord  I  it  is  ray  meditation  all  the  day. 
Sweet  are  thy  words  to  my  palate !  more  sweet  than  honey 
to  my  mouth.  Much  peace  have  they  that  love  thy  law; 
and  to  them  there  is  no  stumbling  block.  Thy  word  is  a 
lamp  to  my  feet,  and  a  light  to  my  paths;  be  thou  mindful 
of  thy  word  to  thy  servant,  in  which  Thou  hast  given  me 
to  hope.     {Ps.  cxviii.) 

Let  the  word  of  Christ  dwell  in  you  abundantly,  in  all 
wisdom  (Col.  iii.  16.;)  the  word  of  truth,  which  is  the 
power  of  God  (2  Cor.  vi.  7. ;)  the  gospel  of  salvation,  in 
which  believing,  you  were  sealed  with  the  Holy  Spirit  of 
promise  (Eph.  i.  13.;)  the  hope  which  is  laid  up  for  you 
in  heaven,  which  you  have  heard  in  the  word  of  the  truth 
of  the  gospel,  which  is  come  to  you,  and  bringeth  forth 
fruit,  and  groweth  {Col.  i,  5.  6.;)  which  hath  not  been 
to  you  in  word  only,  but  in  power  also,  and  in  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  in  much  fulness.     (1   Thess.  i.  5.) 

For  the  rest,  brethren,  pray  that  the  word  of  God  may 
run  [may  have  free  course,]  and  may  be  glorified  (2  Thess. 
iii.  1.;)  and  continue  in  the  faith,  grounded  and  settled, 
and  immovable  from  the  hope  of  the  gospel  which  ye  have 


THE    WORD    OF    TRUTH.  19 

heard,  and  which  is  preached  in  all  the  creation  under 
heaven.  (Co/,  i.  23.) 


THE  WORD  OF  TRUTH. 

Holy  Father  !  the  words  which  Thou  gavest  me, 
/  have  given  to  them.  Thy  word  is  Truth,  St. 
John  xvii.  7,  8. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  prayer  for  his  Disciples, 
on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

O  Lord  God,  Thou  art  God,  and  thy  words  are  true ; 
Thou  hast  spoken  to  thy  servants  these  good  things. 
(2  Ki?igs  vii.  23.)  The  law  of  the  Lord  is  unspotted,  convert- 
ing souls ;  the  testimony  of  the  Lord  is  faithful,  giving 
wisdom  to  little  ones.  The  justices  of  the  Lord  are  right, 
rejoicing  hearts ;  the  commandment  of  the  Lord  is  light- 
some, enlighting  the  eyes ;  more  to  be  desired  than  gold 
and  many  precious  stones,  and  sweeter  than  honey  and  the 
honey-comb.  Thy  servants  keep  them,  and  in  keeping 
them  there  is  a  great  reward.     (Ps.  xviii.  8 — 12.) 

Save  us,  O  Lord,  for  there  is  now  no  saint ;  truths  are 
decayed  from  among  the  children  of  men ;  .  .  .  but  the 
words  of  the  Lord  are  pure  words,  as  silver  tried  by  the 
fire,  purged  from  the  earth,  and  seven  times  refined.  (Fs. 
xi.  2,  7.) 

He  that  hath  my  word,  let  him  speak  it  in  truth :  what 
hath  the  chaff  to  do  with  the  wheat?  saith  the  Lord.  (Jer. 
xxiii.  28.) 

We  give  thanks  to  God  without  ceasing,  because  that 
when  you  had  received  from  us  the  word  of  the  hearing 
of  God,  you  received  it  not  as  the  word  of  men,  but,  as  it 
truly  is,  the  word  of  God,  who  worketh  in  you  who  have 


20  RIGHT   USE    OF    THE    SCRIPTURES. 

believed.  (1  ThessAi.  13.)  Therefore  we  give  thanks  to 
God  always  for  you,  brethren,  beloved  of  God,  for  that 
God  hath  chosen  you  first  fruits  unto  salvation,  in  the 
sanctification  of  the  Spirit,  and  belief  of  the  truth :  where- 
unto  also  He  hath  called  you  by  our  gospel,  unto  the  pur- 
chasing of  the  glory  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 

Therefore,  brethren,  stand  firm,  and  hold  the  traditions 
which  you  have  learned,  whether  by  word  or  by  our 
epistle. 

Now  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself,  and  God  our  Father 
who  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  given  us  everlasting  conso- 
lation, and  great  hope  in  grace,  exhort  your  hearts,  and 
confirm  you  in  every  good  work  and  word.  (2  Tkess.  ii. 
12—16.) 


RIGHT  USE  OF  THE  SCRIPTURES. 

Take  heed  how  you  hear.     Luke  viii.  18. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  t/ie  Multitude. 

Carefully  study  to  present  thyself  approved  unto  God, 
a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  hand- 
ling the  word  of  truth.     (2  Tm.  ii.  15.) 

Evil  men  and  seducers  shall  grow  worse  and  worse, 
erring,  and  driving  into  error.  But  continue  thou  in  the 
things  which  thou  hast  learned,  and  which  have  been 
committed  to  thee :  knowing  of  whom  thou  hast  learned, 
and  because  from  thy  infancy  thou  hast  known  the  holy 
Scriptures,  which  can  instruct  thee  unto  salvation,  through 
the  faith  which  is  in  Jesus  Christ. 

All  Scripture  divinely  inspired,  is  profitable  to  teach,  to 
reprove,  to  correct,  to  instruct  in  justice ;  that  the  man  of 


RIGHT   USE    OF    THE    SCRIPTURES.  21 

God  may  be  perfect,  furnished  unto  every  good  work. 
(2  Tim.  iii.  13—17.) 

We  have  not  by  following  cunningly  devised  fables, 
made  known  to  you  the  power  and  presence  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ;  but  we  were  eye-witnesses  of  his  greatness. 
We  have  also  the  word  of  prophecy  more  firm :  to  which 
you  do  well  to  attend,  as  to  a  light  shining  in  a  dark  place 
until  the  day  dawn,  and  the  morning  star  rise  in  your 
hearts.  Understanding  this  first,  that  no  prophecy  of  the 
Scripture  is  made  by  private  interpretation.  For  prophecy 
came  not  by  the  will  of  man  at  any  time ;  but  the  holy 
men  of  God  spoke,  inspired  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  (2  Pet. 
i.  16—21.) 

There  were  also  false  prophets  among  the  people,  even 
as  there  shall  be  lying  teachers  among  you,  who  shall 
bring  in  sects  of  perdition,  and  deny  the  Lord  who  ran- 
somed them,  bringing  upon  themselves  swift  destruction. 
.  .  .  These  are  wells  without  water,  and  clouds  tossed 
with  whirlwinds,  to  whom  the  mist  of  darkness  is  reserved. 
(2  Pet.  ii.  1,  17.) 

I  write  to  you,  my  dearly  beloved,  to  stir  up  by  admo- 
nition your  sincere  mind.  That  you  may  be  mindful  of 
those  words  which  I  told  you  before  from  the  holy  pro- 
phets, and  of  the  precepts  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  to  us 
his  apostles.  Knowing  this,  first,  that  in  the  last  days 
there  shall  come  scoffers  with  deceit,  walking  according 
to  their  own  lusts ;  ...  as  also  our  most  dear  brother 
Paul,  according  to  the  wisdom  given  to  him,  hath  written 
to  you;  as  also  in  all  his  epistles,  speaking  in  them  of 
these  things.  In  which  [epistles]  are  some  things  hard  to 
be  understood,  which  the  unlearned  and  unstable  wrest, 
as  also  the  other  scriptures,  to  their  own  perdition. 

Do  you,  therefore,  brethren,  knowing  these  things  before- 
hand, beAvare ;  lest,  being  led  astray  by  the  error  of  the 


22  FALSE    PROPHETS. 

unwise,  you  fall  from  your  own  steadfastness.  But  increase 
in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ. 

To  Him  be  glory,  both  now,  and  unto  the  day  of  eter- 
nity. Amen.     (2  Fet.  iii.  1 — 3,  15—18.) 


FALSE  PROPHETS. 

If  any  man  shall  say  to  you,  Lo,  here  is  Christ, 
or,  Lo,  there  is  Christ :  do  not  believe  him.  For 
there  will  rise  up  false  christs  and  false  prophets; 
and  they  shall  show  signs  and  wonders,  to  seduce, 
if  possible,  even  the  elect.  Take  you  heed,  therefore, 
that  you  be  not  seduced.  Go  not  after  them.  Mark 
xiii.  21 — 23.     Luke  xxi.  8. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  Disciples. 

I  KNOW  that,  after  my  departure,  ravening  wolves  will 
enter  in  among  you,  not  sparing  the  flock  ;  nay,  of  your 
own  selves  will  rise  up  men  speaking  perverse  things,  to 
draw  away  disciples  after  them.  Therefore,  watch.  {Ads 
ix.  28— 31.) 

St.  Paul,  in  his  exhortation  to  the  clergy  of  Ephesus. 

To  those  who  receive  not  the  love  of  the  truth  that  they 
may  be  saved,  God  shall  send  the  operation  of  error  to 
believe  a  lie.  (2  Thess.  ii.  11.)  They  have  not  known  nor 
understood ;  for  their  eyes  are  covered  that  they  may  not 
see,  and  that  they  may  not  understand  with  their  heart. 
They  do  not  consider  in  their  mind,  nor  know ;  nor  will 
they  save  their  soul,  and  say :  *  Perhaps  there  is  a  lie  in 
my  right  hand.*     {Isa.  xliv.  18,  19.) 

The  word  of  hearing  did  not  profit  them,  not  being 
mixed  with  a  faith  of  those  things  which  they  heard 


FALSE    PROPHETS.  ,  23 

{llth,  iv.  2.)  From  which  things  some  going  astray,  are 
turned  aside  to  vain  talk,  desiring  to  be  teachers  of  the 
law,  understanding  neither  the  things  they  say,  ^or 
whereof  they  affirm.  Always  learning,  and  never  attain- 
ing to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.     (2  Tim.  iii.  7.) 

We  are  not,  as  many,  adulterating  the  word  of  God : 
but  with-  sincerity,  but  as  from  God,  in  the  sight  of  God 
we  speak  in  Christ.  (2  Cor.  ii.  17.)  If  any  man  teach 
otherwise,  and  consent  not  to  the  sound  words  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  that  doctrine  which  is  accord- 
ing to  piety ;  he  is  proud,  knowing  nothing,  but  sick  about 
questions  and  strifes  of  words,  from  which  arise  envies, 
contentions,  blasphemies,  evil  suspicions,  conflicts  of  men 
corrupted  in  mind,  and  who  are  destitute  of  the  truth, 
esteeming  gain  to  be  piety.     (1  Tim.  vi.  3 — 5.) 

I  beseech  you,  brethren,  to  mark  them  who  cause  dis- 
sensions and  offences  contrary  to  the  doctrine  which  you 
have  learned,  and  avoid  them.  For  they  that  are  such, 
serve  not  Christ  our  Lord,  but  their  own  belly ;  and  by 
pleasing  speeches,  and  good  words,  seduce  the  hearts  of 
the  innocent.     {Rom.  xvi.  17,  18.) 

Let  us  hold  fast  the  confession  of  our  hope,  without 
wavering  ;  for  if  we  sin  wilfully  \hy  apostact/]  after  hav- 
ing received  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  there  is  now  left 
no  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a  certain  dreadful  expectation 
of  judgment,  and  the  rage  of  that  fire  which  shall  consume 
the  adversaries  [of  God.]     (Heb.  x.  23,  26,  27.) 

Now,  I  beseech  you,  by  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that  you  all  speak  the  same  thing,  and  that  there 
be  no  schisms  among  you  ;  but  that  you  be  perfect  in  the 
same  mind,  and  in  the  same  judgment.  (1  Cor.  i.  10.) 
That  the  name  our  Lord  Jesus  may  be  glorified  in  you, 
and  you  in  Him,  according  to  the  grace  of  our  God,  and 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.    C2  Thess.  i.  11,  12.) 


24  FALSE    PROPHETS. 


FALSE   PROPHETS, 

Every  plant  which  my  heavenly  Father  hath  not 
planted,  shall  be  rooted  up.     St.  Matt.  xv.  13, 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  and  Saviour  to  his  Disciples. 

Manx  seducers  are  gone  out  into  the  world;  but  who- 
soever recedeth,  and  continueth  not  in  the  doctrine  of 
Christ,  hath  not  God.  If  any  man  come  to  you,  and 
bring  not  this  doctrine,  receive  him  not.     (2  John,  7 — 10.) 

We  beseech  you,  brethren,  by  the  coming  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  of  our  gathering  together  unto  Him,  that 
you  be  not  easily  moved  from  your  sense.  Let  no  man 
deceive  you  by  any  means ;  for  the  mystery  of  iniquity 
already  worketh,  whose  coming  is  according  to  the  work- 
ing of  Satan,  in  all  power,  and  signs,  and  lying  wonders  ; 
and  in  all  seduction  of  iniquity  to  them  that  perish.  There- 
fore, brethren,  stand  firm,  and  hold  the  traditions  which 
you  have  learned,  whether  by  word  or  by  our  Epistle. 
And  may  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself,  and  God  the 
Father  who  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  given  us  everlasting 
consolation,  and  good  hope  to  grace,  exhort  your  hearts, 
and  confirm  you  in  every  good  work  and  word.  (2  Thess. 
ii.  1—16.) 

Let  no  man  deceive  you  with  vain  words ;  for  because 
of  those  things  cometh  the  anger  of  God  upon  the  chil- 
dren of  unbelief.  Be  ye  not,  therefore,  partakers  with 
them,  (^Eph.  v.  6,  7,)  lest  that  come  upon  you  which  is 
spoken  by  the  prophets  :  '  Behold,  ye  despisers,  and  won- 
der, and  perish.'     (Ads  xiii.  40,  41.) 

Wo  to  you,  hypocrites ;  because  you  shut  the  kingdom 
of  heaven  against  men :  for  you  go  not  in  yourselves ; 
and  those  that  are  going  in,  you  suffer  not  to  enter.     Wo 


DANGER  OF  FOLLOWING  FALSE  PROPHETS.    25 

to  you,  hypocrites ;  because  you  devour  the  houses  of 
widows,  making  long  prayers :  therefore,  you  shall  re- 
ceive the  greater  judgment.  Wo  to  you,  hypocrites  ;  be- 
cause you  go  round  about  sea  and  land  to  make  one  pro- 
selyte: and  when  he  is  made,  you  make  him  the  child  of 
hell  two-fold  more  than  yourselves.    (^Matt.  xxiii.  13 — 15.) 

The  forgers  of  errors  are  all  confounded  and  ashamed; 
they  are  gone  together  into  confusion.  (Jsa.  xlv.  16.) 
Without  the  city  of  the  living  God  is  every  one  that 
loveth  and  maketh  a  lie.     (Apoc.  xxii.  15.) 

But  do  you  remember  your  prelates  who  have  spoken 
to  you  the  word  of  God  ;  considering  well  the  end  of  their 
conversation,  imitate  their  faith.  Jesus  Christ  yesterday, 
and  to-day:  and  the  same  forever.     (Heb.  xiii.  7,  8.) 

Now,  to  Him  who  is  able  to  establish  you  according  to 
the  gospel,  and  the  preaching  of  Jesus  Christ,  ...  to  God 
the  only  wise,  through  Jesus  Christ,  be  honor  and  glory 
forever  and  ever.    Amen.     (Rom.  xvi.  25 — 27.) 


DANGER  OF  FOLLOWING  FALSE  PROPHETS. 

I  am  come  in  the  name  of  my  Father  ;  and  you 
receive  me  not.     If  another  shall  come  in  his  own 
name,  him  you  will  receive.     St.  John  v.  43. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Thet  have  become  to  me  as  the  falsehood  of  deceitful 
waters  [the  mirage  of  the  desert,]  which  cannot  be  trusted. 
(Jer.  XV.  18.)  The  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  Ezechiel 
saying:  Son  of  man,  thou  shalt  say  to  them  that  prophesy 
out  of  their  own  heart:  Hear  ye  the  word  of  the  Lord. 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  God :  Wo  to  the  foolish  prophets  that 
follow  their  own  spirit,  and  see  nothing.    They  see  vain 

3 


26   DANGER  OF  FOLLOWING  FALSE  PROPHETS. 

things,  and  they  foretel  lies,  saying:  The  Lord  saith: 
whereas  the  Lord  hath  not  sent  them :  and  they  have  per- 
sisted to  confirm  what  they  have  said.  Have  you  not  seen 
a  vain  vision,  and  spoken  a  lying  divination  1  and  you 
say:  'The  Lord  saith:'  whereas  I  have  not  spoken. 

Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  God :  Because  you  have 
spoken  vain  things  and  have  seen  lies:  therefore  behold, 
I  come  against  you,  saith  the  Lord  God.  And  ray  hand 
shall  be  upon  the  prophets  that  see  vain  things,  and  that 
divine  lies  :  they  shall  not  be  in  the  council  of  my  people, 
nor  shall  they  be  written  in  the  writing  of  the  house  of 
Lsrael ;  neither  shall  they  enter  into  the  land  of  Israel :  and 
you  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  God.  Because  they 
have  deceived  my  people,  saying :  <  Peace ;'  and  there  is 
no  peace. 

The  people  built  up  a  wall,  and  they  daubed  it  with  dirt 
without  straw.  Say  to  them  that  daub  without  tempering, 
that  it  shall  fall :  for  there  shall  be  an  overflowing  shower, 
and  I  will  cause  great  hail  stones  to  fall  violently  from 
above,  and  a  stormy  wind  to  throw  it  down.  Behold,  when 
the  wall  is  fallen,  shall  it  not  be  said  to  you :  Where  is  the 
daubing  wherewith  you  have  daubed  it  ]  Therefore  thus 
saith  the  Lord  God : 

Lo  I  will  cause  a  stormy  wind  to  break  forth  in  my  in- 
dignation; and  there  shall  be  an  overflowing  shower  in 
my  anger:  and  great  hail  stones  in  my  wrath  to  consume. 
And  I  will  break  down  the  wall  that  you  have  daubed  with 
untempered  mortar :  and  I  will  make  it  even  with  the 
ground;  and  the  foundation  thereof  shall  be  laid  bare: 
and  it  shall  fall,  and  shall  be  consumed  in  the  midst  there- 
of; and  you  shall  know  that  T  am  the  Lord.  And  I  will 
accomplish  my  wrath  upon  the  wall,  and  upon  them  that 
daub  it  without  tempering  the  mortar ;  and  I  will  say  to 
you:  The  wall  is  no  more,  and  they  that  daub  it  are  no 


DANGE«  OF  FOLLOWING  FALSE  PROPHETS.    27 

more.  Even  the  prophets  of  Israel  that  prophesy  to  Jeru- 
salem, and  that  see  visions  of  peace  for  her :  and  there  is 
no  peace,  saith  the  Lord  God. 

And  thou,  son  of  man,  set  thy  face  against  them  that 
prophesy  out  of  their  own  heart,  and  do  thou  prophesy 
against  them.  And  say;  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God: — Wo 
to  them  that  lie  in  wait  to  catch  souls  ;  and  when  they 
have  caught  the  souls  of  my  people,  give  them  life,  {Jiat- 
ter  them  with  promises  of  life.]  And  they  have  dishonored 
me  among  my  people,  for  a  handful  of  barley,  and  a  piece 
of  bread,  to  kill  souls  which  should  not  die,  and  to  save 
souls  alive  which  should  not  live,  telling  lies  to  my  people 
that  believe  lies.  Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  :  Be- 
hold, I  declare  against  you  that  catch  flying  souls ;  and  I 
will  tear  them  from  you,  and  I  will  let  go  the  souls  that 
you  catch,  the  souls  that  should  fly.  And  I  will  deliver 
my  people  out  of  your  hand:  neither  shall  they  be  any 
more  in  your  hands  to  be  a  prey :  and  you  shall  know 
that  I  am  the  Lord.  Because  with  lies  you  have  made  the 
heart  of  the  just  to  mourn,  whom  I  have  not  made  sorrow- 
ful: and  have  strengthened  the  hands  of  the  wicked,  that 
he  should  not  return  from  his  evil  way,  and  live. 

Therefore  you  shall  not  see  vain  things,  nor  divine  divi- 
nations any  more ;  and  I  will  deliver  my  people  out  of 
your  hand,  and  you  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord.  And 
when  the  prophet  shall  err,  speaking  vain  words,  he  shall 
bear  his  iniquity;  I  will  stretch  forth  my  hand  upon  him, 
and  will  cut  him  oflf  from  the  midst  of  my  people  Israel. 
That  the  house  of  Israel  may  go  no  more  astray  from  me, 
nor  be  polluted  with  all  their  transgressions :  but  may  be 
my  people,  and  I  may  be  their  God,  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts.     (Ezek.  xiii.  I — 23.  xiv.  9 — 1 1. 


5^8  JUDGMENTS    AGAINST    FALSE    PROPHETS. 


JUDGMENTS  DENOUNCED  AGAINST  FALSE 

PROPHETS. 

Beware  of  false  prophets,  who  come  to  you  in  the 
clothing  of  sheep,  but  inwardly  they  are  ravenous 
wolves.  By  their  fruits  you  shall  know  them.  Do 
7nen  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles? 
Even  so  every  good  tree  yieldeth  good  fruit,  and  the 
bad  tree  yieldeth  bad  fruit.  A  good  tree  cannot 
yield  bad  fruit ;  neither  can  a  bad  tree  yield  good 
fruit.  Every  tree  that  yieldeth  not  good  fruit,  shall 
be  cut  down,  and  shall  be  cast  into  the  fire.  Where- 
fore, by  their  fruits  you  shall  know  them.  Matt. 
vii.  16—20. 
Works  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

The  word  of  the  Lord  to  Jeremias.  The  Lord  said  to 
me:  The  prophets  prophesy  falsely  in  my  name :  I  sent 
them  not,  neither  have  I  commanded  them,  nor  have  I 
spoken  to  them:  they  prophesy  unto  you  a  lying  vision, 
and  divination,  and  deceit,  and  the  seduction  of  their  own 
heart.  (Jer.  xiv.  14.)  They  have  prophesied  to  you  whom 
I  sent  not,  and  have  caused  you  to  trust  in  a  lie ;  they  have 
spoken  treason  against  the  Lord.  They  have  destroyed 
my  vineyard,  they  have  trodden  my  portion  under  foot, 
they  have  changed  my  delightful  portion  into  a  desolate 
wilderness.  They  have  laid  it  waste,  and  it  hath  mourned 
for  me.  With  desolation  is  all  the  land  made  desolate, 
because  there  is  none  that  considereth  in  the  heart.  They 
have  sown  wheat,  and  reaped  thorns ;  they  have  received 
an  inheritance,  and  it  shall  not  profit  them :  you  shall  be 
ashamed  of  your  fruits,  because  of  the  fierce  wrath  of  the 
Lord.     (Jer.  xii.  10—13.) 


JUDGMENTS    AGAINST    FALSE    PROPHETS.  29 

Lift  up  your  eyes,  and  see,  you  that  come  from  the 
north :  where  is  the  flock  that  is  given  thee,  thy  beautiful 
cattle  1  What  wilt  thou  say  when  he  shall  visit  thee  1  for 
thou  hast  taught  them  against  thee,  and  instructed  ihera 
against  thy  own  head.  (Jer.  xiii.  20,  21.)  How  say  you: 
«We  are  wise,  and  the  law  of  the  Lord  is  with  usl'  In- 
deed, the  lying  pen  of  the  scribes  hath  wrought  falsehood. 
The  wise  men  are  confounded,  they  are  dismayed,  and 
taken :  for  they  have  cast  away  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and 
there  is  no  wisdom  in  them.     (Jer.  viii.  8,  9.) 

Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts  :  Hearken  not  to  the  words 
of  the  prophets  that  prophesy  to  you,  and  deceive  you: 
they  speak  a  vision  of  their  own  heart,  and  not  out  of  the 
mouth  of  the  Lord.  They  say  to  them  that  blaspheme 
me :  '  The  Lord  hath  said ;  You  shall  have  peace  :'  and  to 
every  one  that  walketh  in  the  perverseness  of  his  own 
heart,  they  have  said :  <  No  evil  shall  come  upon  you.'  (Jer. 
xxiii.  16,  17.)  I  sent  not  these  prophets,  yet  they  ran:  I 
have  not  spoken  to  them,  yet  they  prophesied.  If  they  had 
stood  in  my  counsel,  and  had  made  my  words  known  to 
my  people,  I  should  have  turned  them  from  their  evil  way, 
and  from  their  wicked  doings.  Am  I,  think  ye,  a  God  at 
hand,  saith  the  Lord,  and  not  a  God  afar  off"?  Shall  a  man 
be  hid  in  secret  places, and  I  not  see  him, saith  the  Lord? 
do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  earth,  saith  the  Lord  1  I  have 
heard  what  the  prophets  said,  that  prophesy  lies  in  my 
name,  and  say:  '  I  have  dreamed,  I  have  dreamed.'  How 
long  shall  this  be  in  the  heart  of  the  prophets  that  pro- 
phesy lies,  and  that  prophesy  the  delusions  of  their 
own  heart"?  Who  seek  to  make  my  people  forget  my 
name  through  their  dreams,  which  they  tell  every  man  to 
his  neighbor:  as  their  fathers  forgot  my  name  for  Baal. 

Therefore  behold,  I  am  against  the  prophets  saith  the 
Lord  who  steal  mv  words  everv  one  from  his  neighbor. 

3* 


30  HATRED    OF    THE    TRUTH. 

Behold  I  am  against  the  prophets,  saith  the  Lord :  who 
use  their  tongues,  and  say :  '  The  Lord  saith  it.'  Behold, 
I  am  against  the  prophets  that  have  lying  dreams,  saith 
the  Lord,  and  tell  them,  and  cause  my  people  to  err  by 
their  lying,  and  by  their  wonders ;  when  I  sent  them  not, 
nor  commanded  them ;  who  have  not  profited  this  people 
at  all,  saith  the  Lord.  If  therefore  this  people,  or  the  pro- 
phet, or  the  priest  shall  ask  thee,  saying :  What  is  the 
burden  of  the  Lord  ?  thou  shalt  say  to  them  :  'You  are  the 
burden  !'  for  I  will  cast  you  away,  saith  the  Lord.  (7er. 
xxiii.  31 — 33.)  And  I  will  bring  an  everlasting  reproach 
upon  you,  and  a  perpetual  shame,  which  shall  never  be 
forgotten.  (Jer.  xxiii.  40.)  To  Simeias,  the  Nehelamite,  thou 
shalt  say:  The  Lord  hath  made  thee  priest  instead  of 
Joiada  the  priest,  that  thou  shouldst  be  ruler  in  the  house 
of  the  Lord,  over  every  man  that  raveth  and  prophesieth, 
to  put  him  in  the  stocks,  and  into  prison.     {Jer.  xxix.  26.) 


HATRED  OF  THE  TRUTH. 

Men  loved  darkness^  rather  than  the  light ;  for 
their  works  were  evil.  For  every  one  that  doeth  evil, 
hateth  the  light,  and  cometh  not  to  the  light,  that 
his  works  may  not  be  reproved.  But  he  that  doeth 
truth,  cometh  to  the  light,  that  his  works  may  be 
made  manifest,  because  they  are  done  in  God. 
John  iii.  19 — 21. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  in  his  discourse  with  Nicodemus. 

Kifow  also  this,  that,  in  the  last  days,  shall  come  dan- 
gerous times :  men  shall  be  lovers  of  themselves,  covet- 
ous, haughty,  proud,  blasphemers,  disobedient  to  parents, 
ungrateful,  wicked,  without  affection,  without  peace,  slan- 


HATRED    OF    THE    TRUTH.  31 

derers,  incontinent,  unmerciful,  without  kindness,  traitors, 
stubborn,  puffed  up,  and  lovers  of  pleasures  more  than  of 
God;  having  an  appearance,  indeed,  of  piety,  but  deny- 
ing the  power  thereof.  .  .  .  Always  learning,  and  never 
attaining  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth:  now  these  avoid. 
(2  Tim.  iii.  1—7.) 

And  avoid  foolish  and  unlearned  questions ;  knowing 
that  they  beget  strifes.  The  servant  of  the  Lord  must 
not  wrangle,  but  be  gentle  towards  all  men,  fit  to  teach, 
patient;  with  modesty  admonishing  those  who  resist  the 
truth:  if  at  any  time  God  give  them  repentance  to  know 
the  truth,  and  they  recover  themselves  from  the  snares  of 
the  devil,  by  whom  they  are  held  captives  at  his  will. 
(2  Tim.  ii.  23—26.) 

These  men  blaspheme  whatsoever  things  they  know 
not:  and  what  things  soever  they  naturally  know,  like 
dumb  beasts,  in  these  they  are  corrupted.  Wo  to  them! 
for  they  have  gone  in  the  way  of  Cain,  and  have  poured 
out  themselves  after  the  error  of  Balaam,  for  a  reward, 
and  have  perished  in  the  gainsaying  of  Core.  These  are 
spots  in  their  banquets,  feasting  together  without  fear, 
feeding  themselves ;  clouds  without  water  which  are  car- 
ried about  by  winds,  trees  of  the  autumn,  unfruitful,  twice 
dead,  plucked  up  by  the  roots ;  raging  waves  of  the  sea, 
foaming  out  their  own  confusion;  wandering  stars,  to 
whom  the  storm  of  darkness  is  reserved  forever.  These 
are  murmurers,  full  of  complaints,  walking  according  to 
their  own  desires  :  and  their  mouth  speaketh  proud  things, 
admiring  persons  for  gain's  sake.  But  you,  my  dearest, 
be  mindful  of  the  words  which  have  been  spoken  before 
by  the  apostles  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  told  you, 
that,  in  the  last  time,  there  should  come  mockers,  walking 
according  to  their  own  desires,  and  in  impieties.  These 
are  they  who  separate  themselves,  sensual  men,  having 


32  HATRED    OF    THE    TRUTH. 

not  the  spirit.  But  you,  my  dearest,  building  yourselves 
upon  your  most  holy  faith,  and  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost, 
keep  yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,  waiting  for  the  mercy 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  life  everlasting.  {Jude 
10—21. 

I  charge  thee,  before  God  and  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall 
judge  the  living  and  the  dead,  by  his  coming  and  his 
kingdom,  preach  the  word,  be  instant  in  season,  and  out 
of  season;  reprove,  entreat,  rebuke  with  all  patience  and 
doctrine.  For  there  shall  be  a  time,  when  they  will  not 
bear  sound  doctrine;  but,  according  to  their  own  desires, 
they  will  make  to  themselves  teachers,  having  itching 
ears ;  and  will  turn  away  their  hearers  from  the  truth, 
and  will  be  turned  to  fables.  But,  be  thou  vigilant ;  labor 
in  all  things;  do  the  work  of  an  evangelist;  fulfil  thy 
ministry.     (2  Tim.  iv.  1 — 5.) 

If  any  man  teach  otherwise,  and  consent  not  to  the 
sound  words  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  that  doc- 
trine which  is  according  to  piety,  he  is  proud,  knowing 
nothing,  but  sick  about  questions  and  strifes  of  words : 
from  which  arise  envies,  contentions,  blasphemies,  evil 
suspicions,  conflicts  of  men  corrupted  in  mind,  and  who 
are  destitute  of  the  truth,  esteeming  gain  to  be  piety. 

But  thou,  0  man  of  God,  fly  these  things,  and  pursue 
justice,  piety,  faith,  charity,  patience,  meekness.  Fight 
the  good  fight  of  faith;  lay  hold  on  eternal  life,  whereunto 
thou  art  called,  and  hast  confessed  a  good  confession  be- 
fore many  witnesses.  I  charge  thee  before  God,  who 
quickeneth  all  things,  and  before  Christ  Jesus,  who  gave 
testimony  under  Pontius  Pilate,  a  good  confession,  that 
thou  keep  the  commandment  without  spot,  blameless,  unto 
the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  which  in  his  times 
he  shall  show,  who  is  the  Blessed  and  only  Mighty,  the 
King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords:  who  only  hath  immor- 


REJECTION    OF    THE    TRUTH.  33 

tality,  and  inhabiteth  light  inaccessible,  whom  no  man 
hath  seen,  nor  can  see ;  to  whom  be  honor  and  empire 
everlasting.  Amen.  O  Timothy,  keep  that  which  is  com- 
mitted to  thy  trust,  avoiding  the  profane  novelties  of 
words,  and  oppositions  of  knowledge,  falsely  so  called, 
which  some  promising,  have  erred  concerning  the  faith. 
Grace  be  with  thee.  Amen.     (1  Tim.  vi.  3 — 21.) 


REJECTION  OF  THE  TRUTH. 

If  I  say  the  truth  to  you,  why  do  you  not  believe 
me  ?  He  that  is  of  God  heareih  the  words  of  God. 
Therefore^  you  hear  them  not,  because  you  are  not 
of  God.     St.  John  viii.  46,  47. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Be  thou  instructed,  O  Jerusalem,  lest  my  soul  depart 
from  thee,  lest  I  make  thee  desolate,  a  land  uninhabited. 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts  :  To  whom  shall  I  speak  ? 
and  to  whom  shall  I  testify,  that  he  may  hear?  Behold, 
their  ears  are  uncircumcised,  so  that  they  hear  not;  be- 
hold, the  word  of  the  Lord  is  become  unto  them  a  reproach, 
and  they  will  not  receive  it.  .  .  . 

From  the  least  of  them  even  to  the  greatest,  all  are 
given  to  covetousness :  and  from  the  prophet  even  to  the 
priest,  all  are  guilty  of  deceit.  And  they  healed  the 
breach  of  the  daughter  of  my  people  disgracefully,  say- 
ing; <  Peace,  peace ;'  and  there  was  no  peace.  They  were 
confounded,  because  they  committed  abomination ;  yea, 
rather  they  were  not  confounded  with  confusion,  and  they 
knew  not  how  to  blush;  wherefore,  they  shall  fall  among 
them  that  fall;  in  the  time  of  their  visitation  they  shall 
fall  down,  saith  the  Lord.     Thus  saith  the  Lord:  Stand 


34  REJECTION    OF    THE    TRUTH. 

ye  on  the  ways,  and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths,  which 
is  the  good  way,  and  walk  ye  in  it,  and  you  shall  find  re- 
freshment for  your  souls.  And  they  said:  'We  will  not 
walk.'  And  1  appointed  watchmen  over  you,  saying : 
Hearken  ye  to  the  sound  of  the  trumpet.  And  they  said; 
*  We  will  not  hearken.'  Therefore,  hear,  ye  nations,  and 
know,  O  congregation,  what  great  things  I  will  do  to  them  ; 
Hear,  O  earth !  Behold,  I  will  bring  evils  upon  this  people, 
the  fruits  of  their  own  thoughts,  because  they  have  not 
heard  my  words,  and  they  have  cast  away  my  law.  To 
what  purpose  do  you  bring  me  frankincense  from  Saba, 
and  the  sweet  smelling  cane  from  a  far  country]  your 
holocausts  are  not  acceptable  nor  are  your  sacrifices  pleas- 
ing to  me.     {Jer.  vi.  13 — 20.) 

The  word  that  came  to  Jeremias  from  the  Lord,  saying: 
Stand  in  the  gate  of  the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  proclaim 
there  this  word,  and  say :  Hear  ye  the  word  of  the  Lord, 
all  ye  men  of  Juda,  that  enter  in  at  these  gates,  to  adore 
the  Lord.  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  the  God  of  Israel : 
Make  your  ways  and  your  doings  good,  and  I  will  dwell 
with  you  in  this  place.  Trust  not  in  lying  words,  saying: 
« The  temple  of  the  Lord,  the  temple  of  the  Lord,  it  is  the 
temple  of  the  Lord.'  Behold,  you  put  your  trust  in  lying 
words,  which  shall  not  profit  you.  Go  ye  to  my  place  in 
Silo,  where  my  name  dwelt  from  the  beginning;  and  see 
what  I  did  to  it  for  the  wickedness  of  my  people  Israel. 
And  now,  because  you  have  done  all  these  works,  saith 
the  Lord,  and  I  have  spoken  to  you  rising  up  early,  and 
speaking,  and  you  have  not  heard ;  and  I  have  called 
you,  and  you  have  not  answered ;  I  will  do  to  this  house, 
in  which  my  name  is  called  upon,  and  in  which  you  trust, 
and  to  the  place  which  I  have  given  you  and  your 
fathers,  as  I  did  to  Silo.  And  I  will  cast  you  away  from 
before  my  face,  as  I  have  cast  away  all  your  brethren, 


REJECTION   OF    THE   TRUTH.  35 

This  thing  I  commanded  your  fathers,  saying :  Hearken 
to  my  voice,  and  I  will  be  your  God,  and  you  shall  be  my 
people:  and  walk  ye  in  all  the  way,  that  I  have  com- 
manded you,  that  it  may  be  well  with  you.  But  they  heark- 
ened not,  nor  inclined  their  ear:  but  walked  in  their  ov/n 
will,  and  in  the  perversity  of  their  wicked  heart ;  and 
went  backward  and  not  forward.  And  thou  shalt  say  to 
them ;  this  is  a  nation  which  hath  not  hearkened  to  the 
voice  of  the  Lord  their  God,  nor  received  instruction : 
faith  is  lost,  and  is  taken  away  out  of  their  mouth.  (Jer, 
vii.  1—28.) 

Therefore,  let  every  man  of  you  return  from  his  evil 
way,  and  make  ye  your  ways  and  your  doings  good.  And 
they  said :  <  We  have  no  hopes :  for  we  will  go  after  our 
own  thoughts,  and  we  will  do  every  one  according  to  the 
perverseness  of  his  evil  heart.'  Therefore,  thus  saith  the 
Lord  :  Because  my  people  have  forgotten  me,  sacrificing 
in  vain,  and  stumbling  in  their  ways,  in  ancient  paths, 
to  walk  by  them  in  a  way  not  trodden,  shall  their  land 
be  given  up  to  desolation,  and  to  a  perpetual  hissing: 
every  one  that  shall  pass  by  it,  shall  be  astonished,  and 
wag  his  head.  As  a  burning  wind  will  I  scatter  them  be- 
fore the  enemy :  I  will  show  them  the  back,  and  not  the 
face,  in  the  day  of  their  destruction.  {Jer.  xviii.  11 — 17.) 
Again  this  word  came  to  Jeremias  by  the  Lord,  saying : 
Take  thee  a  roll  of  a  book,  and  thou  shalt  write  in  it  all 
the  words  that  I  have  spoken  to  thee  against  Israel  and 
Juda,  and  against  all  the  nations,  from  the  day  that  I  spoke 
to  thee,  from  the  days  of  Josias  even  to  this  day.  If  so 
be,  when  the  house  of  Juda  shall  hear  all  the  evils  that  I 
purpose  to  do  unto  them,  that  they  may  return  every  man 
from  his  wicked  way;  and  I  will  forgive  their  iniquity, 
and  their  sin.     {Jer.  xxvi.  1 — 3.) 


36  CHRIST   THE    DESIRED    OF    NATIONS. 


CHRIST  THE  DESIRED  OF  NATIONS. 

Blessed  are  your  eyes,  because  they  see,  and  your 
ears  because  they  hear.  For,  Amen,  I  say  unto  you, 
many  prophets  and  just  men  have  desired  to  see  the 
things  that  you  see,  and  have  not  seen  them  ;  and 
to  hear  the  things  that  you  hear,  and  have  not  heard 
them.     Matt.  xiii.  16,  17. 

Words  of  oicr  Blessed  Lord  to  his  Disciples. 

Behold,  the  days  come,  saith  the  Lord,  that  I  will  per- 
form the  good  word  that  I  have  spoken  to  the  house  of 
Israel,  and  to  the  house  of  Juda.  In  those  days,  and  at 
that  time,  I  will  make  the  bud  of  justice  to  Spring  forth 
unto  David;  and  He  shall  do  judgment  and  justice  in  the 
earth.  In  those  days  shall  Juda  be  saved,  and  Jerusalem 
shall  dwell  securely;  and  this  is  the  name  that  they  shall  call 
Him:  The  Lord  our  Just  one.  (Jer.  xxxiii.  15,  16.)  I 
will  raise  up  for  them  a  bud  of  renown ;  and  they  shall 
know  that  I  the  Lord  their  God  am  with  them,  and  that 
they  are  my  people.  I  will  save  my  flock,  and  I  will  set 
up  One  Shepherd  over  Them.     (Eze.  xxxiv.  22,  29.) 

In  those  days,  the  God  of  heaven  will  set  up  a  kingdom 
that  shall  never  be  destroyed;  and  his  kingdom  shall  not 
be  delivered  up  to  another  people;  and  it  shall  break  in 
pieces  and  shall  consume  all  these  kingdoms :  and  it- 
self shall  stand  forever.  According  as  thou  sawest,  that 
the  stone  was  cut  out  of  the  mountain  without  hands, 
and  broke  in  pieces  the  clay  and  the  iron,  and  the  brass, 
and  the  silver,  and  the  gold.     (Dan.  ii.  44,  45.) 

And  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the  last  days,  that  the  moun- 
tain of  the  house  of  the  Lord  shall  be  prepared  in  the  top 


CHRIST   THE    DESIRED   OF   NATIONS.  37 

of  the  mountains,  and  high  above  the  hills:  and  people 
shall  flow  to  it.  And  many  nations  shall  come  in  haste, 
and  say  :  Come,  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord, 
and  to  the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob:  and  He  will  teach 
us  of  his  ways ;  and  we  will  walk  in  his  paths :  for  the 
law  shall  go  forth  out  of  Sion,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord 
out  of  Jerusalem.  And  he  shall  judge  among  many  people, 
and  rebuke  strong  nations  afar  off:  and  they  shall  beat 
their  swords  into  plough-shares,  and  their  spears  into 
spades :  nation  shall  not  take  sword  against  nation,  nei- 
ther shall  they  learn  war  any  more.  And  every  man  shall 
sit  under  his  vine,  and  under  his  fig-tree  ;  and  there  shall 
be  none  to  make  them  afraid  :  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  of 
hosts  hath  spoken.     (Mich.  iv.  1 — 4.) 

Behold  the  days  come,  saith  the  Lord,  and  I  will  raise 
up  to  David  a  just  branch ;  and  a  king  shall  reign,  and 
shall  be  wise,  and  shall  execute  judgment  and  justice  in 
the  earth.  In  those  days  shall  Juda  be  saved,  and  Israel 
shall  dwell  confidently:  and  this  is  the  name  that  they 
shall  call  him :  The  Lord  our  Just  Oxe.  (Jer.  xxxiii.  5,  6.) 

Thou  didst  speak  in  a  vision  to  thy  saints  and  say :  I 
have  laid  help  upon  One  that  is  mighty,  and  have  exalted 
One  chosen  out  of  my  people.  With  ray  holy  oil  have  I 
anointed  Him ;  my  truth  and  my  mercy  shall  be  with 
Him ;  I  will  make  Him  ray  first-born,  high  above  the  kings 
of  the  earth.  His  throne  shall  be  as  the  sun  before  me,  and 
as  the  moon  perfect  forever;  and  He  shall  be  ray  faithful 
witness  in  heaven.     (Ps.  Ixxxviii.  20 — 38.) 

4 


38  CHRIST    THE    EXPECTED    OF    NATIONS. 


CHRIST  THE  EXPECTED  OF  NATIONS. 

Beginning  from  Moses,  and  all  the  prophets^ 
Jesus  expounded  to  them  [the  two  disciples  on  the 
way  to  IJmmaus,]  in  all  the  Scriptures,  the  things 
that  were  concerning  Him.     St.  Luke  xxiv.  27. 

Beiitg  aided  by  the  help  of  God,  I  continue,  to  this  day, 
witnessing  both  to  small  and  great ;  saying  no  other  thing 
than  those  which  the  prophets  and  Moses  did  say  should 
come  to  pass.     (Acts  xxvi.  22.) 

Testimony  of  St.  Paul,  in  his  address  to  Agrippa. 

The  hearer  of  the  words  of  God,  he  who  knoweth  the 
doctrine  of  the  Highest,  and  seeth  the  visions  of  the  Al- 
mighty, hath  said:  A  Star  shall  arise  out  of  Jacob,  and 
a  sceptre  shall  spring  up  from  Israel.  .  .  out  of  Jacob  shall 
He  come  that  shall  rule.     (Num.  xxiv.  16 — 19.) 

The  Lord  appeared  to  Isaac  and  said:  I  will  be  with 
thee,  and  will  bless  thee;  and  to  thy  seed  will  I  fulfil  the 
oath  which  I  swore  to  Abraham  thy  father.  And  I  will 
multiply  thy  seed  like  the  stars  of  heaven,  and  I  will  give 
to  thy  posterity  all  these  countries  :  and  in  thy  seed  shall 
all  the  nations  of  the  earth  be  blessed.  Because  Abraham 
obeyed  my  voice,  and  kept  my  precepts  and  command- 
ments, and  observed  my  ceremonies  and  laws.  (Gen.  ii. 
6,  2 — 5.)  And  Isaac  called  Jacob,  and  blessed  him,  say- 
ing :  May  the  Almighty  God  bless  thee,  and  make  thee  to 
increase,  and  multiply  thee  :  that  thou  mayest  be  a  multi- 
tude of  people.  And  may  He  give  the  blessings  of  Abra- 
ham to  thee,  and  to  thy  seed  after  thee :  that  thou  mayest 
possess  the  land.     (Gen.  xxvi.  3,  4.) 

And  when  Jacob  was  come  to  a  certain   place,  and 


CHRIST    THE    EXPECTED    OF    NATIONS.  39 

would  rest  in  it  after  sun-set,  he  took  of  the  stones  that  lay 
there,  and  putting  them  under  his  head,  slept  in  the  same 
place.  And  he  saw  in  his  sleep  a  ladder  standing  upon 
the  earth,  and  the  top  thereof  touching  heaven  ;  the  Angels 
also  of  God  ascending  and  descending  by  it,  and  the  Lord 
leaning  upon  the  ladder,  saying  to  him  :  I  am  the  Lord 
God  of  Abraham  thy  father,  and  the  God  of  Isaac.  The 
land  wherein  thou  sleepest,  I  will  give  to  thee  and  to  thy 
seed.  And  thy  seed  shall  be  as  the  dust  of  the  earth;  thou 
shalt  spread  abroad  to  the  west,  and  to  the  east,  and  to  the 
north,  and  to  the  south ;  and  im  thee  and  thy  seed  all  the 
tribes  of  the  earth  shall  be  blessed.  And  I  will  be  thy 
keeper  whithersoever  thou  goest,  and  will  bring  thee  back 
into  this  land ;  neither  will  I  leave  thee,  till  I  shall  have 
accomplished  all  that  I  have  said.  And  when  Jacob  awaked 
out  of  sleep,  he  said :  Indeed  the  Lord  is  in  this  place,  and 
I  knew  it  not.  And  trembling  he  said :  How  terrible  is 
this  place!  in  very  deed,  this  is  no  other  but  the  house  of 
God,  and  the  gate  of  heaven  !     (Gen.  xxviii.  1 — 17.) 

And  Jacob  called  his  sons,  and  said  to  them :  Gather 
yourselves  together  that  I  may  tell  you  the  things  that 
shall  befall  you  in  the  last  days.  Gather  yourselves  toge- 
ther, and  hear,  0  ye  sons  of  Jacob ;  hearken  to  Israel  your 
father :  .  .  .  The  sceptre  shall  not  be  taken  away  from  Juda, 
nor  a  ruler  from  his  thigh,  till  He  come  that  is  to  be  sent, 
and  He  shall  be  the  expectatiox  of  iiatioxs.  (Gen.  xlix. 
1,  2,  10.) 

Rejoice  greatly,  0  daughter  of  Sion;  shout  for  joy,  O 
daughter  of  Jerusalem  :  Behold  thy  kistg  cometh  vsto 
Thee.  (Zach.  ix.  9.)  He  shall  be  great,  and  shall  be  called 
the  Son  of  the  most  High  :  and  the  Lord  God  shall  give 
unto  him  the  throne  of  David  his  father :  and  he  shall  reign 
in  the  house  of  Jacob  forever,  and  of  his  kingdom  there 
shall  be  no  end.     (Lm^.  i.  32,  33.) 


40  CHRIST    THE    ORIENT    FROM    ON    HIGH. 


CHRIST  THE  ORIENT  FROM  ON  HIGH. 

The  Orient  from  on  high  hath  visited  us,  to  en- 
lighten them  that  sit  in  darkness,  and  in  the  shadow 
of  death  ;  to  direct  our  feet  into  the  way  of  peace. 
St.  Luke  i.  78,  79. 

Prophesy  of  Zacharias. 

That  was  the  true  light  which  enlighteneth  every  man 
that  Cometh  into  this  world.  {St.  John  i.  9.)  The  darkness 
is  past,  and  the  true  light  now  shineth.  (1  John  ii.  8.)  The 
day  has  dawned,  and  the  morning-star  has  arisen  in  your 
hearts.     (2  Pe/.  i.  19.) 

Arise,  be  enlightened,  0  Jerusalem :  for  thy  light  is 
come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee.  For 
behold  darkness  shall  cover  the  earth,  and  a  mist  the 
people :  but  the  Lord  shall  arise  upon  thee,  and  his  glory 
shall  be  seen  upon  thee.  And  the  Gentiles  shall  walk  in 
thy  light,  and  kings  in  the  brightness  of  thy  rising.  Lift 
up  thy  eyes  round  about,  and  see :  all  these  are  gathered 
together,  they  are  come  to  thee :  thy  sons  shall  come  from 
afar,  and  thy  daughters  shall  rise  up  at  thy  side.  Then 
shalt  thou  see,  and  abound,  and  thy  heart  shalt  wonder 
and  be  enlarged,  when  the  multitude  of  the  sea  shall  be 
converted  to  thee,  the  strength  of  the  Gentiles  shall  come 
to  thee.     {Is.  Ix.  1 — 5.) 

0  house  of  Jacob,  come  ye,  and  let  us  walk  in  the  light 
of  the  Lord.  {Is.  ii.  5.)  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  that  cre- 
ated the  heavens,  and  stretched  them  out ;  that  established 
the  earth,  and  the  things  that  spring  out  of  it;  that  giveth 
breath  to  the  people  upon  it,  and  spirit  to  them  that  tread 
thereon.   I  the  Lord  have  called  thee  in  justice,  and  taken 


CHRIST    THE    ORIENT    FROM    ON    HIGH.  41 

thee  by  the  hand,  and  preserved  thee.  And  I  have  given 
thee  for  a  covenant  of  the  people,  for  a  light  of  the  Gen- 
tiles. That  thou  mightest  open  the  eyes  of  the  blind,  and 
bring  forth  the  prisoner  out  of  prison,  and  them  that  sit  in 
darkness  out  of  the  prison  house.  (Is.  xlii.  5 — 7.)  Behold, 
I  have  given  thee  to  be  the  light  of  the  Gentiles,  that  thou 
mayst  be  my  salvation  even  to  the  farthest  part  of  the 
earth.  Thus  saith  the  Lord,  the  redeemer  of  Israel,  his 
holy  One:  In  an  acceptable  time  I  have  heard  thee,  and 
in  the  day  of  salvation  I  have  helped  thee  ;  and  I  have  pre- 
served thee,  and  given  thee  to  be  a  covenant  of  the  people, 
that  thou  mightest  raise  up  the  earth,  and  possess  the  in- 
heritances that  were  destroyed ;  that  thou  mightest  say 
to  them  that  are  bound ;  Come  forth  ;  and  to  them  that  are 
in  darkness:  Show  yourselves.  They  shall  feed  in  the 
ways,  and  their  pastures  shall  be  in  every  plain.  They 
shall  not  hunger,  nor  thirst;  neither  shall  the  heat  nor  the 
sun  strike  them:  for  he  that  is  merciful  to  them,  shall  be 
their  shepherd  :  and  at  the  fountains  of  waters  he  shall 
give  them  drink.  And  I  will  make  all  my  mountains  a 
way,  and  my  paths  shall  be  exalted.  Behold,  these  shall 
come  from  afar,  and  behold,  these  from  the  north  and  from 
the  sea,  and  these  from  the  south  country.  Give  praise, 
O  ye  heavens,  and  rejoice,  O  earth:  ye  mountains  give 
praise  with  jubilation  :  because  the  Lord  hath  comforted 
his  people,  and  will  have  mercy  on  his  poor  ones.  (Is. 
xlix.  6— 13.) 

For  Sion's  sake,  I  will  not  hold  my  peace,  and  for  the 
sake  of  Jerusalem,  I  will  not  rest,  till  her  Just  One  come 
forth  as  brightness,  and  her  Saviour  be  lighted  as  a  lamp. 
And  the  Gentiles  shall  see  thy  Just  One,  and  all  kings  thy 
Glorious  One;  and  thou  shalt  be  called  by  a  new  name, 
which  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  shall  name.  And  thou  shalt 
be  a  crown  of  glory  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  a  royal 

4* 


42  CHRIST,    THE    SON    OF    THE    VIRGIN. 

diadem  in  the  hand  of  thy  God.  Thou  shalt  no  more  be 
called  Forsaken  ;  and  thy  land  shall  no  more  be  called 
Desolate ;  but  thou  shalt  be  called  My  pleasure  in  her,  and 
thy  land  be  inhabited.  Because  the  Lord  hath  been  well 
pleased  with  thee :  and  thy  land  shall  be  inhabited.  Be- 
hold, the  Lord  hath  made  it  to  be  heard  in  the  ends  of  the 
earth,  tell  the  daughter  of  Sion :  Beuold  thy  Saviour 
Cometh!  behold,  his  reward  is  with  Him,  and  his  work 
before  Him.  And  they  shall  call  them.  The  holy  people, 
The  redeemed  of  the  Lord.     (/i'.  Ixii.  1—12.) 


CHRIST,  THE  SON  OF  THE  VIRGIN. 

Vea,  Lord,  I  have  believed  that  thou  art  the 
Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God,  ivho  art  cojne 
into  this  world.     St.  John  xi.  27. 

Testimoiiy  of  Elariha  to  Jesus  Christ. 

Be  comforted,  be  comforted,  my  people,  sailh  your  God. 
Speak  ye  to  the  heart  of  Jerusalem,  and  call  to  her ;  for 
her  evil  is  come  to  an  end,  her  iniquity  is  forgiven ;  she 
hath  received  of  the  hand  of  the  Lord  double  for  all  her 
sins.  The  voice  of  one  crying  in  the  desert :  Prepare  ye 
the  way  of  the  Lord ;  make  straight  in  the  wilderness  the 
paths  of  our  God.  Every  valley  shall  be  exalted,  and 
every  mountain  and  hill  shall  be  made  low,  and  the 
crooked  shall  become  straight,  and  the  rough  ways  plain. 
And  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be  revealed ;  and  all  flesh 
together  shall  see,  that  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  spoken. 
Get  thee  up  upon  a  high  mountain,  thou  that  bringest 
good  tidings  to  Sion  ;  lift  up  thy  voice  with  strength,  thou 
that  bringest  good  tidings  to  Jerusalem :  lift  it  up ;  fear 
not.     Say  to  the  cities  of  Judah;  Behold  your  God:  be- 


CHRIST,   THE    SON    OF    THE    VIRGIN.  43 

hold,  the  Lord  God  shall  come  with  strength,  and  his  arm 
shall  rule :  behold,  his  reward  is  with  Him,  and  his  work 
is  before  Him.     (Is.  xl.  1 — 10.) 

And  there  shall  come  forth  a  rod  out  of  the  root  of 
Jesse,  and  a  flower  shall  rise  up  out  of  his  root.  (Is.  xi. 
1.)  Therefore  the  Lord  himself  shall  give  you  a  sign: 
Behold,  a  virgin  shall  conceive,  and  bear  a  son ;  and  his 
name  shall  be  called  Emmanuel.  (Is.  vii.  14.)  And  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  shall  rest  upon  Him :  the  spirit  of  wis- 
dom, and  of  understanding,  the  spirit  of  counsel,  and  of 
fortitude,  the  spirit  of  knowledge,  and  of  godliness.  (Is' 
xi.  2.)  He  shall  feed  his  flock  like  a  shepherd:  he  shall 
gather  together  the  lambs  with  his  arm,  and  shall  take 
them  up  in  his  bosom :  and  he  himself  shall  carry  them 
that  are  with  young.     (Is.  xl.  11.) 

Behold,  I  send  my  Angel,  and  he  shall  prepare  the  way 
before  my  face.  And  presently  the  Lord  whom  you  seek, 
and  the  Angel  of  the  testament,  whom  you  desire,  shall 
come  to  his  temple.  Behold,  he  cometh,  saith  the  Lord  of 
hosts.  Unto  you  that  fear  my  name,  the  Sun  of  justice 
shall  arise,  with  healing  in  his  wings ;  (Mai.  iii.  1.  iv.  2,) 
that  transgression  may  be  finished,  and  sin  may  have  an 
end,  and  iniquity  may  be  abolished ;  and  everlasting  jus- 
tice maybe  brought;  and  vision  and  prophecy  may  be 
fulfilled ;  and  the  Saint  of  saints  may  be  anointed.  (Dan. 
ix.  24.)  Iniquity  shall  no  more  be  heard  in  thy  land, 
wasting  nor  destruction  in  thy  borders ;  and  salvation 
shall  possess  thy  walls,  and  praise  thy  gates.  (Is.  Ix.  18.) 
The  league  with  death  shall  be  abolished,  and  the  cove- 
nant with  hell  shall  not  stand.  (Is.  xxviii.  18.)  For  a 
CHILD  IS  BORif  to  US,  and  a  son  is  given  to  us ;  and  the 
government  is  upon  his  shoulder:  and  his  name  shall 
be  called  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  God  the  Mighty,  the 
Father  of  the  world  to  come,  the  Prince  of  peace.    His 


44  THE    HOLY    NAME    OF    JESUS. 

empire  shall  be  multiplied ;  and  there  shall  be  no  end  of 
peace.  He  shall  sit  upon  the  throne  of  David,  and  upon 
his  kingdom,  to  establish  it  and  strengthen  it  with  judg- 
ment and  with  justice,  from  henceforth  and  forever:  the 
zeal  of  the  Lord  of  hosts  will  perform  this.  The  Lord 
sent  a  word  into  Jacob,  and  it  hath  lighted  upon  Israel. 
(75.  ix.  6—8.) 


THE  HOLY  NAME  OF  JESUS. 

Jimen^  amen,  I  say  unto  you :  If  you  ask  the 
Father  any  thing  in  my  name,  He  will  give  it  you. 
.  .  .  Whatsoever  you  shall  ask  of  the  Father  in  my 
name,  that  will  1  do  :  that  the  Father  may  he  glo- 
rified in  the  Son.  Jf  you  ask  me  any  thing  in  my 
name,  that  I  will  do.  Hitherto  you  have  not  asked 
any  thing  in  my  name.  Ask,  and  you  shall  re- 
ceive;  that  your  joy  may  be  full.  St.  John  xvi. 
23,  24.  xiv.  13,  14. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse 

after  his  last  supper. 

I  WILL  not  hold  my  peace,  I  will  not  rest,  till  the  Just 
One  come  forth  as  brightness,  and  the  Saviour  be  lighted 
as  a  lamp.  And  the  Gentiles  shall  see  the  Just  One,  and 
all  kings  the  Glorious  One;  and  Thou  shall  be  called  by 
a  new  name,  which  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  shall  name. 
(Is.  Ixii.  1,  2.) 

Let  this  mind  be  in  you,  which  was  also  in  Christ 
Jesus ;  who  being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it  no  rob- 
bery himself  to  be  equal  with  God;  but  debased  himself, 
taking  the  form  of  a  servant,  being  made  to  the  likeness 
of  men,  and  in  shape  found  as  a  man.  He  humbled  him- 
self, becoming  obedient  unto  death ;  even  to  the  death  of 


THE    TRUTH    AS    IT    IS    IN    JESUS.  45 

the  cross.  For  which  cause  God  also  hath  exalted  Him, 
and  hath  given  Him  a  name  which  is  above  all  names: 
that  in  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  shall  bow,  of  those 
that  are  in  heaven,  on  earth,  and  under  the  earth;  and 
that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  is  in  the  glory  of  God  the  Father.     {Pliil.  ii.  5 — 1 1.) 

The  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  there  is  no 
salvation  in  any  other:  for  there  is  no  other  name  under 
heaven  given  to  men,  whereby  we  must  be  saved. 

Behold,  I  v/ill  send  my  Messenger,  who  shall  go  before 
thee,  and  keep  thee  in  thy  journey,  and  bring  thee  into  the 
place  that  I  have  prepared.  Take  notice  of  Him,  and 
hear  his  voice,  and  do  not  think  Him  one  to  be  contemned ; 
...  for  my  name  is  in  him.  But  if  thou  wilt  hear  his 
voice,  and  do  all  that  I  speak,  I  will  be  an  enemy  to  thy 
enemies,  and  will  afflict  them  that  afflict  thee.  (Exod. 
xxiii.  20,  22.) 

These  things  are  written  that  you  may  believe  that 
Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  and  that,  believing, 
you  may  have  life  in  his  name.     (Jofm  xx.  31.) 


THE  TRUTH  AS  IT  IS  IN  JESUS. 

For  this  was  I  born,  and  for  this  came  I  into  the 
world;  that  I  should  give  testimony  to  the  Truth: 
every  one  that  is  of  the  Truth  heareth  my  voice. 
St.  John  xviii.  37. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  Pilate, 

The  law  was  given  by  Moses :  Grace  and  Truth  came 
by  Jesus  Christ.     (St.  John  i.  17.) 

Words  of  John  the  Baptist,  in  the  testimony  which  he  rendered 

to  Jesus  Christ. 


46  THE    TRUTH    AS    IT    IS    IN    JESUS. 

Jesus  said  to  Thomas ;  <  I  am  the  way,  and  the  truth, 
and  the  life.  No  one  comelh  to  the  Father  but  by  me.' 
And  Jesus  said  to  the  Jews  that  believed  in  Him ;  '  If  you 
continue  in  my  word,  you  shall  be  my  disciples  indeed : 
and  you  shall  know  the  truth,  and  the  truth  shall  make 
you  free.'     {John  xiv.  32.  viii.  31,  32.) 

This  I  say  and  testify  in  the  Lord ;  that  henceforward 
you  walk  not  as  the  Gentiles  walk,  in  the  vanity  of  their 
mind,  having  the  understanding  obscured  with  darkness, 
alienated  from  the  life  of  God  through  the  ignorance  which 
is  in  them,  because  of  the  blindness  of  their  heart.  But 
you  have  not  so  learned  Christ :  if  indeed,  you  have  heard 
Him,  and  have  been  taught  in  Him,  as  the  truth  is  in  Jesus. 
{Eph.  iv.  17—21.) 

O  senseless  men  !  who  hath  bewitched  you,  that  you 
should  not  obey  the  Truth,  before  whose  eyes  Jesus  Christ 
hath  been  set  forth,  crucified  among  you?  This  only 
would  I  learn  of  you: — Did  you  receive  the  Spirit  by  the 
works  of  the  law,  or  by  the  hearing  of  faith  ]  Are  you  so 
foolish,  that,  whereas  you  began  in  the  Spirit,  you  would 
now  be  made  perfect  by  the  flesh  1  Have  you  suffered  so 
great  things  in  vain  1     {Gal.  iii.  1 — 4.) 

To  the  dearly  beloved,  whom  I  love  in  truth.  Dearly 
beloved,  I  make  my  prayer  that  thou  mayest  prosper  as  to 
all  things,  and  be  in  health,  even  as  thy  soul  doeth  pros- 
perously. I  was  exceeding  glad  when  the  brethren  came, 
and  gave  testimony  to  the  truth  in  thee,  even  as  thou  walk- 
est  in  truth.  I  have  no  greater  grace  [satisfaction]  than 
this,  to  bear  that  my  children  walk  in  the  Truth.  (3  John 
1-4.) 

Be  ye,  therefore,  followers  of  God,  as  most  dear  children  ; 
and  walk  in  love,  as  Christ  also  hath  loved  us,  and  hath 
delivered  himself  for  us,  an  oblation  and  a  sacrifice  to  God, 
for  an  odour  of  sweetness.   For  you  were  heretofore  dark- 


x>IISSION    OF    CHRIST.  47 

ness,  but  now  light  in  the  Lord.  Walk  ye  as  children  of  the 
light;  for  the  fruit  of  the  light  is  in  all  goodness,  and 
justice,  and  Truth.     {Eph.  v.  1 — 9.) 

To  Thee,  O  Lord,  have  I  lifted  up  my  soul.  Show,  O 
Lord,  thy  ways  to  me,  and  teach  me  thy  paths  ;  direct  me 
in  thy  truth  and  teach  me,  for  Thou  art  God  my  Savi- 
our ;  all  thy  ways,  O  Lord,  are  mercy  and  Truth  to  them 
that  seek  after  thy  testimonies.      (Fs.  xxiv.  1,  4,  5,  10.) 


MISSION  OF  CHRIST. 

For  this  ivas  I  born,  and  for  this  came  I  into  the 
world :  that  I  should  give  testimony  to  the  truth. 
This  is  the  work  of  God,  that  you  believe  in  him 
whom  He  hath  sent.  I  came  down  from  heaven,  not 
to  do  m.y  own  will,  but  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  me. 
Now  this  is  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  me,  the  Fa- 
ther :  that  all  that  He  hath  given  me,  I  lose  not 
thereof,  but  raise  it  up  again  at  the  last  day.  And 
this  is  the  will  of  my  Father  who  sent  me :  that  every 
one  who  seeth  the  Son,  and  believeth  in  Him,  m,ay 
have  everlasting  life ;  aiid  I  will  raise  him  up  at 
the  last  day.     John  xviii.  37.  vi.  29,  38 — 40. 

And  as  Peter  was  yet  speaking,  behold,  a  bright  cloud 
overshadowed  them.  And,  behold,  a  voice  out  of  the 
cloud,  saying ;  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am 
well  pleased :  hear  ye  Him.     {Matt.  xvii.  5.) 

Rabbi,  we  know  that  thou  art  come  a  teacher  from  God  : 
for  no  man  can  do  these  miracles  which  thou  doest,  unless 
God  was  with  him.     {John  iii.  2.) 

Testimony  of  Nicodemus  to  Jesus  Christ. 
Br  this  hath  appeared  the  charity  of  God  in  us,  because 


48  MISSION    OF    CHRIST. 

God  hath  sent  his  only  begotten  Son  into  the  world,  that  we 
might  live  through  him.  In  this  is  charity:  not  as  we 
have  loved  God,  but  because  He  first  loved  us,  and  sent 
his  Son  a  propitiation  for  our  sins.  And  we  have  seen, 
and  do  testify,  that  the  Father  hath  sent  his  Son  the  Savi- 
our of  the  world.     (I  John  iv.  9,  10,  14.) 

Jesus  lifting  up  his  eyes  to  heaven,  said :  Father,  the 
hour  is  come ;  glorify  thy  Son,  that  thy  Son  may  glorify  thee  : 
as  Thou  hast  given  him  power  over  all  flesh,  that  he  may 
give  eternal  life  to  all  whom  Thou  hast  given  him.  And 
this  is  life  everlasting,  that  they  may  know  Thee,  the  only 
true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  Thou  hast  sent.  I  have 
glorified  Thee  upon  earth ;  I  have  finished  the  work  which 
Thou  gavest  me  to  do.  And  now  glorify  Thou  me,  O 
Father,  with  thyself,  with  the  glory  which  I  had  with  Thee, 
before  the  world  was.  I  have  manifested  thy  name  to  the 
men  whom  Thou  hast  given  me  out  of  the  world.  Thine 
they  were,  and  to  me  Thou  gavest  them :  and  they  have 
kept  thy  word.  Now  they  have  known  that  all  things 
which  Thou  hast  given  me  are  from  thee ;  because  the 
words  which  thou  gavest  me,  I  have  given  to  them ;  and 
they  have  received  them,  and  have  known  in  very  deed 
that  I  came  out  from  Thee,  and  they  have  believed  that 
Thou  didst  send  me.  I  pray  for  them :  I  pray  not  for  the 
world,  but  for  them  whom  Thou  hast  given  me  ;  because 
they  are  thine.  And  all  my  things  are  thine,  and  thine  are 
mine :  and  I  am  glorified  in  them.  And  now  I  am  no  more 
in  the  world  ;  but  these  are  in  the  world,  and  I  come  to 
Thee.  Holy  Father,  keep  them  in  thy  name  whom  Thou 
hast  given  me :  that  they  may  be  one,  as  we  also  are. 
While  I  was  with  them,  I  kept  them  in  thy  name.  Those 
whom  Thou  gavest  me  have  I  kept :  and  none  of  them  is 
lost,  but  the  son  of  perdition,  that  the  scripture  may  be 
fulfiled.  And  now  I  come  to  Thee ;  and  these  things  I  speak 


THE    CHURCH.  49 

in  the  world,  that  they  may  have  my  joy  filled  in  them- 
selves. I  have  given  them  thy  word,  and  the  world  hath 
hated  them,  because  they  are  not  of  the  world :  as  I  also 
am  not  of  the  world.  I  pray  not  that  Thou  shouldst  take 
them  out  of  the  world,  but  that  Thou  shouldst  keep  them 
from  evil.  They  are  not  of  the  world,  as  I  also  am 
not  of  the  world.  Sanctify  them  in  truth.  (John  xvii. 
1—17.) 


THE  CHURCH, 

Jesus  asked  his  disciples,  saying:  Whom  do  men 
say  that  the  Son  of  man  is  ?  And  they  said :  Some 
say  that  thou  art  John  the  Baptist,  and  others  Elias, 
and  other  Jeremias,  or  one  of  the  prophets.  He  saith 
to  them :  But  whom  do  you  say  that  1  am  ?  Simon 
Peter  ansivering,  said:  Thou  art  Christ,  the  Son 
of  the  living  God.  And  Jesus  answering  said  to 
him:  Blessed  art  thou,  Simon  Bar-jona;  because 
flesh  and  blood  hath  not  revealed  it  to  thee,  but  m,y 
Father  who  is  in  heaven.  And  I  say  to  thee :  That 
thou  art  Peter;  and  upon  this  rock  i  will  build 

MY  CHURCH,  AND  THE  GATES  OF  HELL  SHALL  NOT  PRE- 
VAIL AGAINST  IT.     Matt.  xvi.  13—18. 

Behold,  I  lay  in  Sion  a  chief  corner-stone,  a  tried  stone, 
a  precious  stone,  founded  in  the  foundation,  (^laa.  xxviii. 
16.)  Jesus  saith  to  the  Jews;  Have  you  never  read  in  the 
Scriptures:  The  stone  which  the  builders  rejected,  the 
same  is  become  the  head  of  the  corner  ?  By  the  Lord  this 
hath  been  done ;  and  it  is  wonderful  in  our  eyes.  {Matt. 
xxi.  42.) 

5 


60  THE    CHURCH. 

Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth,  whom  you  crucified,  whom 
God  hath  raised  from  the  dead;  This  is  the  stone  which 
was  rejected  by  you  the  builders,  which  is  become  the 
head  of  the  corner :  nor  is  there  salvation  in  any  other. 
For  there  is  no  other  name  under  heaven  given  to  men, 
whereby  we  must  be  saved.     (Acts  iv.  10 — 12.) 

The  Church  of  God,  which  Christ  hath  purchased  wi-h 
his  blood.  (Acts  xx.  28.)  The  Church  of  the  living  God, 
the  pillar  and  ground  of  Truth;  (1  Tim.  iii.  15.)  built 
upon  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus 
Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner-stone  ;  in  whom  all 
the  building  framed  together,  groweth  up  into  a  holy  tem- 
ple in  the  Lord.  In  whom  you  also  are  built  together  into 
a  habitation  of  God  in  the  spirit.  (Epk.  ii.  20 — 22.)  For 
no  one  can  lay  another  foundation,  but  that  which  is  laid, 
which  is  Jesus  Christ.     (1  Cor.  iii.  11.) 

May  the  God  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  Father  of 
glory,  give  you  the  Spirit  of  wisdom  and  of  revelation  in 
the  knowledge  of  Him.  The  eyes  of  your  heart  enlight- 
ened, that  you  may  know  what  is  the  hope  of  his  calling, 
and  what  are  the  riches  of  the  glory  of  his  inheritance  in 
the  saints.  And  what  is  the  exceeding  greatness  of  his 
power  towards  us,  who  believe  according  to  the  operation 
of  the  might  of  his  power,  which  he  wrought  in  Christ, 
raising  him  up  from  the  dead,  and  setting  him  at  his  own 
right  hand  in  the  heavenly  places.  Above  all  principality, 
and  power,  and  virtue,  and  domination,  and  every  name 
that  is  named,  not  only  in  this  world,  but  also  in  that  which 
is  to  come.  And  He  hath  put  all  things  under  his  feet, 
and  hath  made  Him  head  over  all  the  Church,  which  is 
his  body,  and  the  fulness  of  Him,  who  is  filled  all  in  all. 
(Eph.  i.  17—23.) 

Christ  is  the  head  of  the  Church ;  He  is  the  Saviour  of 
his  body  ;  He  loved  the  Church,  and  delivered  himself  up 


AUTHORITY   OF   THE    CHURCH  51 

for  it,  that  He  might  sanctify  it,  cleansing  it  by  the  laver 
of  water  in  the  word  of  life  ;  that  He  might  present  it  to 
himself  a  glorious  Church,  not  having  any  spot  or  wrinkle, 
nor  any  such  thing;  but  that  it  should  be  holy  and  with- 
out blemish.     {Eph.  v.  23—27.) 

Who  is  she  that  cometh  forth  as  the  morning  rising, 
fair  as  the  moon,  bright  as  the  sun,  terrible  as  an  army 
set  in  array  ?  1  to  my  beloved,  and  my  beloved  to  me  ;  one 
is  my  dove;  my  perfect  one  is  but  one.  Thou  art  all  fair 
O  my  beloved,  and  there  is  no  spot  in  thee.  {Cant.  vi.  8, 
9.  iv.  7.)  I  will  espouse  thee  to  me  forever;  and  I  will 
espouse  thee  to  me  in  justice,  and  judgment,  and  in  mercy  ; 
and  I  will  espouse  thee  to  me  in  faith.  {Osee.  ii.  19,  20.) 
He  that  loveth  her,  loveth  himself;  for  no  man  ever  hated 
his  own  flesh,  but  nourisheth  and  cherisheth  it;  so  also 
doth  Christ  the  church.  {Eph.  v.  28,  29.)  And  I  John  saw 
the  holy  city  the  new  Jerusalem  coming  down  from  God 
out  of  heaven,  prepared  as  a  bride  adorned  for  her  hus- 
band. And  I  heard  a  great  voice  from  the  throne,  saying: 
Behold  the  tabernacle  of  God  with  men  ;  and  He  will  dwell 
with  them,  and  they  shall  be  his  people :  and  God  him- 
self with  them  shall  be  their  God.      {Apoc.  xxi.  2,  3.) 


AUTHORITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

And  if  he  will  not  hear  them  [the  witnesses^  tell 
the  Church  ;  and  if  he  will  not  hear  the  Church,  let 
him  be  to  thee  as  a  heatheti  and  a  pidjlican.  (Matt. 
xviii.  17.)  Be  that  heareth  you,  heareth  me  ;  and 
he  that  despiseth  you,  despAseth  me,  and  he  that  des- 
piseth  me,  despiseth  Him  that  sent  me.  Luke  x.  16. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

I  WILL  lay  thy  foundations  in  order,  and  thou  shalt  be 


52         ArXHORITY  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

founded  in  justice,  all  thy  children  shall  be  taught  of  the 
Lord.  No  weapon  that  is  formed  against  thee  shall  pros- 
per; and  every  tongue  that  resisteth  thee  in  judgment^ 
thou  shalt  condemn.  This  is  the  inheritance  of  the  ser- 
vants of  the  Lord,  and  their  justice  with  me,  saith  the  Lord, 
(isfl.  liv.  11,  17.) 

Behold,  I  have  graven  thee  in  my  hands  ;  thy  walls  are 
always  before  my  eyes.  Thy  builders  are  come;  they 
that  destroy  thee,  and  make  thee  waste,  shall  go  out  of 
thee.  (7sa.  xlix.  16,  17.)  Thy  gates  shall  be  open  continu- 
ally ;  they  shall  not  be  shut  day  nor  night,  that  the  strength 
of  the  Gentiles  may  be  brought  to  thee,  and  their  kings 
may  be  brought  to  beautify  the  place  of  my  sanctuary; 
and  I  will  glorify  the  place  of  my  feet.  And  the  children 
of  them  that  afflict  thee,  shall  come  bowing  down  to  thee, 
and  all  that  slandered  thee,  shall  worship  the  steps  of  thy 
feet,  and  shall  call  thee  the  city  of  the  Lord,  the  Sion  of 
the  holy  One  of  Israel.  I  will  make  thee  to  be  an  ever- 
lasting glory,  a  joy  unto  generation  and  generation ;  and 
thou  shalt  know  that  I  am  the  Lord  thy  Saviour,  and  thy 
Redeemer,  the  mighty  One  of  Jacob.  I  will  make  thy  visi- 
tation peace,  and  thy  overseers  justice ;  salvation  shall 
possess  thy  walls,  and  praise  thy  gates.  (Isa.  Ix.  11^ 
13—18.) 

Behold,  I  will  send  my  Angel,  who  shall  keep  thee,  and 
bring  thee  into  the  place  that  I  have  prepared.  Take 
notice  of  him,  and  hear  his  voice,  and  do  not  think  him 
one  to  be  contemned.  Hear  his  voice,  and  do  all  that  I 
speak.     (Exo.  xxiii.  20 — 22.) 

The  time  is  that  judgment  should  begin  at  the  house  of 
God.  (1  Pet.  iv.  17.)  For  if  perfection  were  by  the  Le- 
vitical  priesthood,  what  further  need  was  there  that  an- 
other priest  should  arise  according  to  the  order  of  Mel- 
chilsedechl     For  the  priesthood  being  translated,  it  is 


CHRIST  THE  GOOD  SHEPHERD.         53 

necessary  that  a  translation  also  be  made  of  the  law.  For 
the  law  brought  nothing  to  perfection,  but  an  introduction, 
of  a  better  hope,  by  which  we  approach  to  God.  {Heh. 
vii.  11,  12,  19.) 

Faith  Cometh  by  hearing;  and  hearing  by  the  word  of 
Christ.  But  I  say;  Have  they  not  heard?  Yes,  verily, 
their  sound  hath  gone  forth  into  all  the  earth,  and  their 
words  unto  the  ends  of  the  whole  world.    (Rom.x.  17, 18.) 

We  are  of  God.  He  that  knoweth  God,  heareth  us  ;  he 
that  is  not  of  God,  heareth  us  not:  by  this  we  know  the 
Spirit  of  truth,  and  the  spirit  of  error.  (1  John  iv.  6.)  Re- 
member your  prelates,  who  have  spoken  to  you  the  word 
of  God :  whose  faith  follow.  .  .  .  Obey  your  pastors,  and 
be  subject  to  them.  For  they  watch,  as  being  to  render 
an  account  of  your  souls.     (Heb.  xiii.  7,  17.) 


CHRIST  THE  GOOD  SHEPHERD. 

/  am  the  good  Shepherd,  and  I  know  my  sheep, 
and  my  sheep  know  me.     John  x.  11,  14. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Tub  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  me,  saying:  «Son  of 
rnan,  prophesy  concerning  the  shepherds  of  Israel ;  pro- 
phesy, and  say  to  the  shepherds :  Thus  saith  the  Lord 
God ;  Wo  the  shepherds  of  Israel,  that  fed  themselves : 
should  not  the  flocks  be  fed  by  the  shepherds  1  You  ate 
the  milk,  and  you  clothed  yourselves  with  the  wool,  and 
you  killed  that  which  was  fat;  but  my  flock  you  did  not 
feed.  The  weak  you  have  not  strengthened,  and  that 
which  was  sick  you  have  not  healed ;  that  which  was 
broken  you  have  not  bound  up,  and  that  which  was 
driven  away  you  have  not  brought  again ;  neither  have 

5* 


64         CHRIST  THE  GOOD  SHEPHERD, 

you  sought  that  which  was  lost :  but  you  ruled  over  them 
with  rigor,  and  with  a  high  hand,  And  my  sheep  were 
scattered,  because  there  was  no  shepherd ;  and  they  be- 
came the  prey  of  all  the  beasts  of  the  field,  and  were  scat- 
tered. My  sheep  have  wandered  in  every  mountain,  and 
in  every  high  hill,  and  my  flocks  were  scattered  upon  the 
face  of  the  earth ;  and  there  was  none  that  sought  them ; 
there  was  none,  I  say,  that  sought  them.  Therefore,  ye 
shepherds  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord :  As  I  live,  saith  the 
Lord  God,  forasmuch  as  my  flocks  have  been  made  a 
spoil,  and  my  sheep  are  become  a  prey  to  all  the  beasts  of 
the  field,  because  there  was  no  shepherd :  for  my  shep- 
herds did  not  seek  after  my  flock ;  but  the  shepherds  fed 
themselves,  and  fed  not  my  flocks  :  therefore,  ye  shep- 
herds, hear  the  word  of  the  Lord :  Thus  saith  the  Lord 
God ;  Behold,  I  myself  come  upon  the  shepherds.  I  will 
require  my  flock  at  their  hand  ;  and  I  will  cause  them  to 
cease  from  feeding  the  flock  any  more ;  neither  shall  the 
shepherds  feed  themselves  any  more :  and  I  will  deliver 
my  flock  from  their  mouth ;  and  it  shall  no  more  be  meat 
for  them. 

For  thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  Behold,  I  myself  will 
seek  my  sheep,  and  will  visit  them.  As  the  shepherd 
visiteth  his  flock  in  the  day  when  he  shall  be  in  the  midst 
of  his  sheep  that  were  scattered,  so  will  I  visit  my  sheep, 
and  will  deliver  them  out  of  all  the  places  where  they 
have  been  scattered  in  the  cloudy  and  dark  day.  And  I 
will  bring  them  out  from  the  people,  and  will  gather  them 
out  of  the  countries,  and  will  bring  them  to  their  own  land : 
and  I  will  feed  them  in  the  mountains  of  Israel,  by  the 
rivers,  and  in  all  the  habitations  of  the  land :  I  will  feed 
them  in  the  most  fruitful  pastures,  and  their  pastures 
shall  be  in  the  high  mountains  of  Israel:  there  shall  they 
rest  on  the  green  grass,  and  be  fed  in  fat  pastures  upon 


CHRIST  THE  GOOD  SHEPHERD.         55 

the  mountains  of  Israel.  I  will  feed  my  sheep :  and  I  will 
cause  them  to  lie  down,  saith  the  Lord  God.  I  will  seek 
that  which  was  lost,  and  that  which  was  driven  away,  I 
will  bring  again ;  and  I  will  bind  up  that  which  was 
broken,  and  I  will  strengthen  that  which  was  weak,  and 
that  which  was  fat  and  strong  I  will  preserve  :  and  I  will 
feed  them  in  judgment. 

And  as  for  you,  O  my  flocks,  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  : 
Behold,  I  judge  between  cattle  and  cattle,  of  rams  and  he- 
goats.  Was  it  not  enough  for  you  to  feed  upon  good  pas- 
tures, but  you  must  also  tread  down  with  your  feet  the 
residue  of  your  pastures  l  and  when  you  drank  the 
clearest  water,  you  must  trouble  the  rest  with  your  feetl 
And  my  sheep  were  fed  with  that  which  you  had  trodden 
with  your  feet,  and  they  drank  what  your  feet  had  troubled. 
Therefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  to  you;  Behold,  I  my- 
self will  judge  between  the  fat  cattle  and  the  lean.  Be- 
cause you  thrusted  with  sides  and  shoulders,  and  struck 
all  the  weak  cattle  with  your  horns,  till  they  were  scat- 
tered abroad:  I  will  save  my  flock;  and  it  shall  be  no 
more  a  spoil ;  and  I  will  judge  between  cattle  and  cattle. 
And  I  WILL  SET  up  one  shepheud  over  them:  and  he 
shall  feed  them,  even  my  servant  David :  he  shall  feed 
them,  and  he  shall  be  their  shepherd.  (EzecJt.  xxxiv, 
1—26.) 


56  CHRIST    THE    GREAT    SHEPHERD. 


CHRIST  THE  GREAT  SHEPHERD  OF  THE  SHEEP. 

The  Son  of  man  is  come  to  save  that  which  was 
lost.  What  think  you  ? — If  a  man  have  a  hundred 
sheep,  and  one  of  them  should  go  astray  ;  doth  he 
not  leave  the  ninety-nine  in  the  mountains,  and  go 
to  seek  that  which  is  gone  astray  ?  And  if  it  be 
so  that  he  find  it,  amen,  J  say  to  you,  he  rejoiceth 
more  for  that  one  than  for  the  ninety-nine  that 
went  not  astray.  Even  so  it  is  not  the  will  of  your 
Father,  who  is  in  heaven,  that  one  of  these  little 
ones  should  perish.  St.  Matt,  xviii.  11 — 14. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Saviour  to  his  disciples. 

Be  comforted,  be  comforted,  my  people,  saith  your  God. 
Speak  ye  to  the  heart  of  Jerusalem,  and  call  to  her,  say- 
ing :  Behold  your  God !  Behold,  the  Lord  God  shall  come. 
He  shall  feed  his  flock  like  a  shepherd;  He  shall  gather 
together  the  lambs  with  his  arm,  and  shall  take  them  up 
in  his  bosom;  and  He  himself  shall  carry  them  that  are 
with  young.     (7s.  xl.  1,  2,  10,  11.) 

Come,  let  us  adore  and  fall  down,  and  weep  before  the 
Lord  that  made  us.  For  he  is  the  Lord  our  God:  and  we 
are  the  people  of  his  pasture  and  the  sheep  of  his  hand. 
To-day  if  you  shall  hear  his  voice,  harden  not  your  hearts. 
(Ps.  Ixxxiv.  6 — 8.)  Return,  O  ye  revolting  children,  saith 
the  Lord ;  and  I  will  give  you  a  pastor  according  to  my 
own  heart,  and  he  shall  feed  you  with  knowledge  and  doc- 
trine. (Jer.  iii.  14,  15.)  The  Lord  is  my  Shepherd,  and  I 
shall  want  nothing.  He  hath  set  me  in  a  place  of  pasture. 
He  hath  brought  me  up,  on  the  water  of  refreshment ;  he 
hath  converted  my  soul.  He  hath  led  me  on  the  paths  of 
justice,  for  his  own  name's  sake.    For  though  I  should 


CHRIST   THE   ONE    SHEPHERD.  57 

walk  in  the  midst  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  fear  no  evils, 
for  thou  art  with  me.  Thy  rod  and  thy  staff,  they  have 
comforted  me.  (P.s.  xxii.  1 — 4.)  And  may  the  God  of 
peace,  who  brought  again  from  the  dead  the  great  Pastor 
of  the  sheep,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  blood  of  the 
everlasting  covenant,  fit  you  in  all  goodness,  that  you  may 
do  his  will :  doing  in  you  that  which  is  well-pleasing  in 
his  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ ;  to  whom  is  glory  forever 
and  ever.  Amen.  (Heb.  xiii.  20,  21.)  Who  his  own  self 
bore  our  sins  in  his  body  upon  the  tree ;  that  we  being 
dead  to  sins,  should  live  to  justice  :  by  whose  stripes  you 
were  healed.  For  you  were  as  sheep  going  astray ;  but 
you  are  now  converted  to  the  shepherd  and  bishop  of  your 
souls.     (1  Pet.  iii.  24,  25.) 


CHRIST  THE  ONE  SHEPHERD  OF  THE 
ONE  FOLD. 

Jind  other  sheep  I  have,  that  are  not  of  this  fold: 
them  also  I  must  bring ;  and  they  shall  hear  my 
voice :  and  there  shall  be  one  fold  and  one  shep- 
j  HERD.  (John  x.  16.)  Not  for  them  [the  disciples'] 
only  do  I  pray,  but  for  those  also  who,  through  their 
ivord,  shall  believe  in  me:  that  they  all  may  be  one, 
as  thou,  Father,  in  me,  and  I  in  thee,  that  they  also 
may  be  one  in  us :  that  the  world  may  believe  that 
Thou  hast  sent  me.  And  the  glory  which  Thou 
hast  given  me,  I  have  given  to  them :  that  they 
may  be  one,  as  we  also  are  one.  I  in  them,  and 
Thou  in  me;  that  they  may  be  made  perfect  in  one; 
and  that  the  world  may  know  that  Thou  hast  sent 
me,  and  hast  loved  them,  as  Thou  hast  loved  me. 
Father,  I  will  that  where  I  am,  they  also  whom 


58         CHRIST  THE  ONE  SHEPHERD. 

Thou  hast  given  me,  may  he  with  me ;  that  they 
may  see  ray  glory,  which  thou  hast  given  7ne :  be- 
cause Thou  hast  loved  me  before  the  foundation  of 
the  world.     John  xvii.  20 — 24. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  in  his  prayer  for  his  disciples,  on 
the  eve  of  his  passion. 

The  God  of  patience  and  of  comfort,  grant  you  to  be 
of  one  mind,  one  towards  another,  according  to  Jesus 
Christ ;  that  with  one  mind,  and  with  one  mouth,  you  may 
glorify  God,  and  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
(Rom.  XV.  5,  6.)  Now  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  by  the 
name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  you  all  speak  the 
same  thing,  and  that  there  be  no  schisms  among  yoa:  but 
that  you  be  perfect  in  the  same  mind,  and  in  the  same  judg- 
ment.    (1  Cor.  i.  10.) 

I  beseech  you  that  you  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  in 
which  you  are  called,  with  all  humility;  careful  to  keep 
the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.  One  body, 
and  one  Spirit;  as  you  are  called  in  one  hope  of  your 
vocation.  One  Lord,  one  faith,  one  bapUsm.  One  God 
and  Father  of  all,  who  is  above  all,  and  through  all,  and 
in  us  all.  (Eph.  iv.  1 — 6.)  For  you  are  all  one  in  Christ 
Jesus.  (Gal.  iii.  28.)  For  we,  being  many,  are  one  head, 
one  body,  all  who  partake  of  one  bread.     (1  Cor.  x.  17.) 

Let  us,  therefore,  as  many  as  are  perfect,  be  thus 
minded,  .  .  .  whereunto  we  are  already  arrived,  that  is,  to 
be  of  the  same  mind;  thus  let  us  continue  in  that  same 
rule.  (Phil.  iii.  15,  16.)  Till  we  all  meet  in  the  unity  of 
faith,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God  unto  a  per- 
fect man,  unto  the  measure  of  the  age  of  the  fulness  of 
Christ.  That  henceforth  we  be  no  more  children,  tossed  to 
and  fro,  and  carried  about  with  every  wind  of  doctrine, 
in  the  wickedness  of  men,  in  craftiness  by  which  they  lie 


THE    PREACHING    OF    THE    WORD.  59 

in  wait  to  deceive.  But  performing  the  truth  in  charity, 
we  may  in  all  things  grow  up  in  Him  who  is  the  head, 
Christ :  from  whom  the  whole  body,  compacted  and  fitly 
joined  together,  by  what  every  joint  supplieth,  according 
to  the  operation  in  the  measure  of  every  part,  maketh  in- 
crease of  the  body,  unto  the  edifying  of  itself  in  charity. 
{Eph.  iv.  13 — 16.)  And  whosoever  shall  follow  this  rule 
peace  be  upon  them,  and  mercy!     (^Gal.  vi.  16.) 


THE  PREACHING  OF  THE  WORD. 

Ml  power  is  given  to  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth. 
Go  ye,  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations  ;  baptizing 
them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.  Teaching  them  to  observe  all 
things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you;  and, 
behold,  I  am  with  you  all  days,  even  to  the  consum- 
mation of  the  world.  And  this  Gospel  shall  be 
preached  in  the  whole  world,  for  a  testimony  to  all 
nations.     Matt,  xxviii.  18 — 20.  xxiv.  14. 

And  the  Lord  Jesus,  after  he  had  thus  spoken  to  his 
apostles,  was  taken  up  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  on  the 
right  hand  of  God.  But  they  going  forth,  preached  every 
where ;  the  Lord  co-operating  with  ihem,  and  confirming 
the  word  with  signs  that  followed.     {Luke  xvi.  19,  20.) 

With  the  heart,  we  believe  unto  justice ;  but,  with  the 
mouth,  confession  is  made  unto  salvation.  For  the  Scrip- 
ture saith :  Whoever  believeth  in  Him,  shall  not  be  con- 
founded. For  there  is  no  distinction  of  the  Jew  and  the 
Greek ;  for  the  same  is  Lord  over  all,  rich  to  all  that  call 
upon  Him :  for  whosoever  shall  call  upon  the  name  of 
the  Lord,  shall  be  saved.    But  how  shall  they  call  on  Him, 


60  THE   PREACHING    OF   THE    WORD. 

in  whom  they  have  not  believed  1  Or  how  shall  they  be- 
lieve Him,  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  1  And  how  shall 
they  hear,  without  a  preacher  1  And  how  can  they  preach 
unless  they  be  sent?  as  it  is  written:  How  beautiful  are 
the  feet  of  them  that  preach  the  gospel  of  peace,  of  them 
that  bring  glad  tidings  of  good  things !  Faith,  then, 
Cometh  by  hearing:  and  hearing  by  the  word  of  Christ. 
But  I  say :  Have  they  not  heard  1  Yes,  verily,  their  sound 
went  over  all  the  earth,  and  their  words  unto  the  ends  of 
the  whole  world.     (^Rom.  x.  10 — 18.) 

And  some,  indeed,  he  gave  to  be  apostles,  and  some 
prophets,  and  others  evangelists,  and  others  pastors  and 
teachers,  for  the  perfection  of  the  saints,  for  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  unto  the  edification  of  the  body  of  Christ : 
till  we  all  meet  in  the  unity  of  faith,  and  of  the  knowledge 
of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure 
of  the  age  of  the  fulness  of  Christ.  (Eph.  iv.  11 — 13.) 
You  have  heard  of  the  dispensation  of  the  grace  of  God^ 
which  is  given  me  in  your  behalf;  the  mystery  made 
known  to  me,  the  mystery  in  Christ :  which  in  other  gene- 
rations was  not  made  known  to  the  sons  of  men,  as  it  is 
now  revealed  to  his  holy  apostles,  and  prophets,  in  the 
Spirit.  That  the  Gentiles  should  be  co-heirs,  and  of  the 
same  body,  and  joint  partakers  of  his  promise  in  Christ 
Jesus,  by  the  gospel :  of  which  I  am  made  a  minister,  ac- 
cording to  the  gift  of  the  grace  of  God,  which  is  given  to 
me  according  to  the  operation  of  his  power. 

To  me,  the  least  of  all  the  saints,  is  given  this  grace,  to 
preach  among  the  Gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ,  and  to  enlighten  all  men,  as  to  what  is  the  dispen- 
sation of  the  mystery  which  hath  been  hidden  from  eter- 
nity in  God ;  that  the  manifold  wisdom  of  God  may  be 
made  known  to  the  principalities  and  powers  in  the  hea- 
venly places,  through  the  Church,  according  to  the  eternal 


MINISTRY    OF    THE    WORD.  61 

decree  which  he  made  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord;  in  whom 
we  have  affiance  and  access  with  confidence  by  the  faith 
of  him. 

For  this  cause  1  bow  my  knees  to  the  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  he  would  grant  you,  according  to 
the  riches  of  his  glory,  to  be  strengthened  with  power  by 
his  Spirit  unto  the  inward  man,  that  Christ  may  dwell  by 
faith  in  your  hearts ;  that,  being  rooted  and  founded  in 
charity,  you  may  be  able  to  comprehend,  with  all  the 
saints,  what  is  the  breadth,  and  length,  and  height,  and 
depth  ;  to  know  also  the  charity  of  Christ,  which  sur- 
passeth  knowledge,  that  you  may  be  filled  unto  all  the 
fulness  of  God. 

Now  to  Him,  who  is  able  to  do  all  things  more  abun- 
dantly than  we  can  ask  or  understand,  according  to  the 
power  which  worketh  in  us ;  to  Him  be  glory  in  the  church, 
and  in  Christ  Jesus,  throughout  all  generations,  world  with- 
out end.  Amen.     {Eph.  iii.  2 — 21.) 


MINISTRY  OF  THE  WORD  EXEMPLIFIED  IN 

ST.  PAUL. 

Rise  lip,  and  stand  upon  thy  feet ;  for  to  this  end 
have  1  appeared  to  thee,  that  I  may  make  thee  a 
minister  and  a  ivitness  of  those  things  ivhich  thou 
hast  seen,  and  of  those  things  wherein  I  ivill  appear 
to  thee  ;  delivering  thee  from  the  people,  and  from 
the  nations  unto  which  now  I  send  thee,  to  open 
their  eyes,  that  they  may  be  converted  from  dark- 
ness to  light,  and  from  the  power  of  Satan  to  God, 
that  they  may  receive  forgiveness  of  sins,  and  a  lot 

6 


62  MINISTRY    OF    THE    WORD. 

among  the  saints^  by  the  faith  that  is  in  me.     Acts 
xxvi.  16 — 18. 

Commission  of  Jesus  Christ  to  St.  Paul,  in  his  vision  on  the 

way  to  Damascus. 

I  GiTE  you  to  understand,  brethren,  that  the  gospel 
which  was  preached  by  me  is  not  according  to  man.  For 
neither  did  I  receive  it  of  man,  nor  did  I  learn  it;  but  by 
the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ.  For  you  have  heard  of 
my  conversation  in  time  past  in  the  Jews'  religion ;  how 
that  beyond  measure  I  persecuted  the  church  of  God  and 
wasted  it.  And  I  made  progress  in  the  Jews'  religion 
above  many  of  my  equals  in  my  own  nation,  being  more 
abundantly  zealous  for  the  traditions  of  my  fathers.  But 
when  it  pleased  Him,  who  separated  me  from  my  mother's 
womb,  and  called  me  by  his  grace,  to  reveal  his  Son  in 
me,  that  I  might  preach  him  among  the  Gentiles,  imme- 
diately I  condescended  not  to  flesh  and  blood.  (Gal.  i.  11 — 
16.)  When  I  came  to  you,  I  came  not  in  loftiness  of 
speech  or  of  wisdom ;  declaring  unto  you  the  testimony 
of  Christ.  For  I  judged  not  myself  to  know  any  thing 
among  you,  but  Jesus  Christ,  and  Him  crucified.  And 
I  was  with  you  in  weakness,  and  in  fear,  and  in  much 
trembling.  And  my  speech  and  my  preaching  was  not  in 
the  persuasive  words  of  human  wisdom,  but  in  the  showing 
of  the  spirit  and  power;  that  your  faith  might  not  stand 
on  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  on  the  power  of  God. 

Howbeit,  we  speak  wisdom  among  the  perfect:  yet  not 
the  wisdom  of  this  world,  neither  of  the  princes  of  this 
world,  that  come  to  nought;  but  we  speak  the  wisdom  of 
God  in  a  mystery,  a  wisdom  which  is  hidden,  which  God 
ordained  before  the  world,  unto  our  glory :  which  none 
of  the  princes  of  this  world  knew  :  for  if  they  had  known 
it,  they  would  never  have  crucified  the  Lord  of  glory. 


DOERS    OF    THE    WORD.  63 

If  1  preach  the  gospel,  it  is  no  glory  to  rne ;  for  a  neces- 
sity lieth  upon  me :  for  wo  is  unto  me  if  I  preach  not  the 
gospel.  (1  Cor.  ii.  1 — 8.  ix.  16.)  We  preach  not  our- 
selves, but  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord:  and  ourselves  your 
servants  through  Jesus.  For  God  who  commanded  the 
light  to  shine  out  of  darkness,  hath  shined  in  our  hearts, 
to  give  the  light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  in 
the  face  of  Christ  Jesus. 

God  hath  given  to  us  the  ministry  of  reconciliation;  He 
hath  placed  in  us  the  word  of  reconciliation.  For  Christ, 
therefore,  we  are  ambassadors,  God  as  it  were  exhorting 
by  us.  For  Christ,  we  beseech  you,  be  reconciled  to  God. 
The  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  not  carnal,  but  mighty 
to  God  unto  the  pulling  down  of  fortifications,  destroying 
counsels,  and  every  height  that  exalteth  itself  against  the 
knowledge  of  God,  and  bringing  into  captivity  every  un- 
derstanding unto  the  obedience  of  Christ.  (2  Cor.  iv.  6,  6. 
Vi.  18 — 20.  X.  4, 5.)  There  are  some  that  trouble  you,  and 
would  pervert  the  gospel  of  Christ ;  but  though  we,  or  an 
angel  from  heaven,  preach  a  gospel  to  you  besides  that 
which  we  have  preached  to  you,  let  him  be  anathema.  As 
we  said  before,  so  now  I  say  again :  If  any  one  preach 
to  you  a  gospel,  besides  that  which  you  have  received,  let 
him  be  anathema.  (Ga/.  i.  7 — 9.) 


'DOERS  OF  THE  WORD;  NOT  HEARERS  ONLY.' 

Why  call  you  me  LonU  Lord ;  and  do  not  the 
things  which  I  say  ?  Blessed  are  they  who  hear 
the  word  of  God^  and  keep  it.  Whosoever  heareth 
these  my  words,  and  doeth  them,  shall  be  likened  to 
a  zvise  man,  who  built  his  house  upon  a  rock.  And 
the  rain  fell,  and  the  floods  came,  and  the  winds 


G4  DOERS    OF    THE    WORD, 

blew,  and  they  beat  zipon  that  house,  and  it  fell  not: 
for  it  was  founded  upon  a  rock,  Jind  every  one 
that  heareth  these  my  words,  and  doeth  the7n  not, 
shall  be  like  a  foolish  man,  who  hath  built  his  house 
upon  the  sand.  And  the  rain  fell,  and  the  floods 
came,  and  the  winds  blew,  and  they  beat  upon  that 
house,  and  it  fell ;  and  great  zvas  the  fall  thereof. 
Luke  vi.  11,  28,  46.  Matt.  vii.  24—27. 
Woi'ds  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

And  thou,  son  of  man,  the  children  of  thy  people 
talk  of  thee  by  the  walls,  and  in  the  doors  of  the  houses, 
and  speak  one  to  another,  each  man  to  his  neighbor,  say- 
ing ;  Come,  and  let  us  hear  what  is  the  word  that  cometh 
forth  from  the  Lord.  And  they  came  to  thee,  as  if  a  peo- 
ple were  coming  in ;  and  my  people  sit  before  thee,  and 
hear  thy  words,  and  do  them  not;  for  they  turn  them  into 
a  song  of  their  mouth,  and  their  heart  goeth  after  their 
covetousness.  And  thou  art  to  them  as  a  musical  song 
which  is  sung  with  a  sweet  and  agreeable  voice;  and 
they  hear  thy  words,  and  do  them  not.  (Eze.  xxxiii.  30 — 32.) 

And  the  Lord  said :  Because  they  have  forsaken  my 
law,  which  I  gave  them,  and  have  not  heard  my  voice, 
and  have  not  walked  in  it.  But  they  have  gone  after  the 
perverseness  of  their  own  heart,  and  after  Baalim,  which 
their  fathers  taught  them.  Therefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord 
of  hosts  the  God  of  Israel:  (Jer.  ix.  13 — 15.)  Behold  the 
day  is  come  that  I  will  send  forth  a  famine  into  the  land ; 
not  a  famine  of  bread,  nor  a  thirst  of  water,  but  of  the 
hearing  of  the  word  of  the  Lord.  And  they  shall  go 
about  seeking  the  word  of  the  Lord,  and  shall  not  find  it. 
(Amos  viii.  11,  12.)  The  kingdom  of  God  shall  be  taken 
from  you,  and  shall  be  given  to  a  nation  bringing  forth 
the  fruits  thereof.     {Matt.  xxi.  43.) 


CHRIST,  THE    CHARITY    OF.  G5 

We  walked  not  in  thy  law,  and  did  not  any  of  the  things 
that  Thou  didst  command  us  to  do,  and  all  these  evils  are 
come  upon  us.  (Jer.  xxxii.  23,)  He  hath  confirmed  the 
word  which  He  spoke  against  us,  that  he  would  bring  in 
upon  us  a  great  evil.  And  this  evil  is  come  upon  us ;  and 
we  entreated  not  thy  face,  0  Lord  our  God,  that  we  might 
turn  from  our  iniquities,  and  think  on  thy  truth.  And  the 
Lord  hath  watched  upon  the  evil,  and  hath  brought  it 
upon  us.  The  Lord  our  God  is  just  in  all  his  works  which 
he  hath  done ;  for  we  have  not  hearkened  to  his  voice. 
(^Dan.  ix.  12—14.) 

Be  ye  doers  of  the  word,  and  not  hearers  only,  deceiving 
your  own  selves.  For  if  a  man  be  a  hearer  of  the  word, 
and  not  a  doer,  he  may  be  compared  to  a  man  beholding 
his  natural  countenance  in  a  glass  ;  for  he  beheld  himself, 
and  went  his  way,  and  presently  forgot  what  manner  of 
man  he  was.  But  he  that  hath  not  become  a  forgetful 
hearer,  but  doer  of  the  word,  this  man  shall  be  blessed  in 
his  deed.     (James  i.  22 — 24.) 

Jesus  cried  aloud,  and  said :  If  any  man  hear  my  words, 
and  keep  them  not,  ...  the  word  that  I  have  spoken,  the 
same  shall  judge  him  in  the  last  day.     (John  xii.  47,  48.) 

The  things  which  you  have  both  learned  and  received, 
and  heard,  and  seen,  these  do  ye  :  and  the  God  of  peace 
shall  be  with  you.     (Phil.  iv.  8,  9.) 


CHRIST,  THE  CHARITY  OF. 

/  am  come  to  send  fire  on  the  earth,  and  ivhat 
will  I  but  that  it  be  kindled?  And  I  have  a  bap- 
tism, ivherewith  I  am  to  be  baptized:  and  hoiv  am  I 
straitened  until  it  be  accomplished?     JJs  the  Father 

6* 


QQ  Christ's  meekness. 

hath  loved  me,  I  also  have  loved  you  ;  abide  in  my 
love.     St.  Luke  xvii.  49,  50.     John  xv.  9. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  in  his  discourse  to  his  disciples,  on 
the  eve  of  his  passion. 

In  this  we  have  known  the  charity  of  God,  because  He 
hath  laid  down  his  life  for  us.  (Johii  iii.  16.)  God  is 
charity.  By  this  hath  appeared  the  charity  of  God  in  us ; 
because  God  hath  sent  his  only  begotten  Son  into  the 
world,  that  we  might  live  through  Him.  In  this  is  cha- 
rity: not  as  if  we  have  loved  God,  but  because  He  first 
loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  a  propitiation  for  our  sins,  . . . 
and  we  have  seen,  and  do  testify,  that  the  Father  haih  sent 
his  Son,  the  Saviour  of  the  world.  Whosoever  shall  con- 
fess that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God,  God  abideth  in  him,  and 
he  in  God.  And  we  have  known  and  have  believed  the 
charity  which  God  hath  to  us.  God  is  charity :  and  he  that 
abideth  in  charity,  abideth  in  God,  and  God  in  him.  In  this 
is  the  charity  of  God  perfected  with  us,  that  we  may  have 
confidence  in  the  day  of  judgment.     (1  John  iv.  9 — 17.) 

Walk  in  love,  as  Christ  also  hath  loved  us,  and  hath 
delivered  himself  for  us,  an  oblation,  as  a  sacrifice  to  God, 
for  an  odor  of  sweetness.  (Eph.  v.  2.)  Who  then  shall 
separate  us  from  the  love  of  Christ  1  shall  tribulation  I  or 
distress  1  or  famine  ?  or  nakedness  1  or  danger  1  or  per- 
secution] or  the  sword?  (As  it  is  written;  For  thy  sake 
we  are  put  to  death,  all  the  day  long :  we  are  accounted 
as  sheep  for  the  slaughter.)  But  in  all  these  things  we 
overcome,  because  of  him  that  hath  loved  us.  For  I  am 
sure  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  Angels,  nor  princi- 
palities, nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor  things  to 
come,  nor  might,  nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other  crea- 
ture shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of  God, 
which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  (7?om,  viii.  35 — 39.) 


CHRIST    BECAME    POOR.  67 

Just  Father,  the  world  hath  not  known  Thee :  and  these 

have  known  that  Thou  hast  sent  me.     And  I  have  made 

known  thy  name  to  them,  and  will  make  it  known ;  that 

the  love  wherewith  Thou  hast  loved  me,  may  be  in  them, 

and  I  in  them.     (St.  John  xvii.  25,  26.) 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  prai/er  for  his  disciples,  on 
the  eve  of  his  passion. 


CHRIST,  WHO  FOR  OUR  SAKES  BECAME  POOR. 

And  a  certain  man  said  to  Jesus :  I  will  follow 
thee  whithersoever  thou  goest.  Jesus  said  to  him : 
The  foxes  have  holes,  and  the  birds  of  the  air  nests; 
but  the  Son  of  man  hath  not  ivhere  to  lay  his  head. 
Luke  ix.  57,  58. 

*AxD  it  came  to  pass  when  Mary  and  Joseph  were  in 
Bethlehem,  that  her  days  were  accomplished,  that  she 
should  be  delivered.  And  she  brought  forth  her  first  born 
son,  and  wrapped  him  up  in  swaddling  clothes,  and  laid 
him  in  a  manger ;  because  there  was  no  room  for  them  in 
the  inn.  (Luke  ii.  6,  7.)  You  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  that  being  rich,  he  became  poor  for  your 
sakes  ;  that  through  his  poverty  you  might  be  rich.  (2  Cor. 
viii,  9.) 

And  when  Jesus  travelled  through  the  cities  and  towns, 
preaching  and  publishing  the  Gospel  of  the  kingdom  of 
God,  Joanna,  the  wife  of  Chusa,  Herod's  steward,  and 
Susanna,  and  many  others,  ministered  unto  him  of  their 
substance.     (Luke  viii.  1,  3.) 

And  when  Jesus  and  his  disciples  were  come  toCaphar- 
naum,  they  who  received  the  didrachma,  [a  tax  of  15(/. 
laid  upon  every  head,  for  the  service  of  the  temple,]  came  to 


68  CHRIST    BECAME    POOR. 

Peter,  and  said  to  him:  Doth  not  your  master  pay  the 
didrachma?  He  said:  Yes.  And  when  he  was  come 
into  the  house,  Jesus  said  to  him :  That  we  may  not  scan- 
dalize them,  go  thou  to  the  sea,  and  cast  in  a  hook,  and 
that  fish  which  shall  first  come  up,  take ;  and  when  thou 
hast  opened  its  mouth,  thou  shalt  find  a  stater;  take  that, 
and  give  it  them  for  me  and  thee.     {Matt.  xvii.  23,  26.) 

And  many  said:  How  came  this  man  by  all  these 
things'?  and  what  wisdom  is  this  that  is  given  to  him, and 
such  mighty  works  as  are  wrought  by  his  hands  1  Is  not 
this  the  carpenter,  the  son  of  Mary,  the  brother  of  James, 
and  Joseph,  and  Jude,  and  Simon "?  are  not  also  his  sisters 
here  with  us  1  And  they  were  scandalized  in  regard  of 
him.     {Mark  vi.  2,  3.) 

Now,  I  say  unto  you,  if  there  be  any  consolation  in 
Christ,  if  any  comfort  of  charity,  if  any  fellowship  of  the 
spirit,  if  any  bowels  of  commiseration,  let  nothing  be 
done  but  through  humility,  each  esteeming  others  better 
than  themselves ;  each  one  not  considering  the  things 
that  are  his  own,  but  those  that  are  other  men's.  For  let 
the  same  mind  be  in  you,  which  was  in  Jesus  Christ,  who 
being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it  no  robbery  himself  to 
be  equal  to  God ;  but  debased  himself,  taking  the  form  of 
a  servant,  being  made  to  the  likeness  of  men,  and  in  shape 
formed  as  a  man.  He  humbled  himself,  becoming  obe- 
dient unto  death,  even  to  the  death  of  the  cross.  {Phil,  ii. 
1 — 8.)  He  was  despised,  and  the  most  abject  of  men,  a 
man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  infirmities ;  and  his 
aspect  was,  as  it  were,  hidden  and  despised,  whereupon  we 
esteemed  him  not.  Surely  he  hath  borne  our  infirmities, 
and  carried  our  sorrows ;  and  we  have  thought  him,  as  it 
were,  a  leper,  and  as  one  struck  by  God,  and  afflicted. 
{Isa.  iii.  3,  4.) 


ASHAMED    OF    CHRIST.  69 


ASHAMED  OF  CHRIST. 

Blessed  is  he  that  shall  not  he  scandalized  in  me<, 
\jshall  not  take  occasion  of  offence  from  my  humi- 
lity.'\  Whosoever  shall  be  ashamed  of  me,  and  of 
my  words,  in  this  adulterous  and  sinful  generation  ; 
the  Son  of  man  also  shall  be  ashamed  of  him,  when 
he  shall  come  in. the  glory  of  his  Father  with  the 
holy  angels.     Matt.  xi.  6.     Mark  viii.  38. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  on  occasion  of  his 
sending  them  on  their  mission. 

I  AM  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel;  for  it  is  the  power 
of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth,  to  the 
Jew  first.  (Rom.  i.  16.)  I  spoke  of  thy  testimonies  before 
kings,  and  I  was  not  ashamed.  (Ps.  cxviii.  46.)  And  the 
Jews  were  scandalized  in  his  regard.  But  Jesus  said  to 
them ;  A  prophet  is  not  without  honor,  save  in  his  own 
country,  and  in  his  own  house.  And  he  wrought  not 
many  miracles  there,  because  of  their  unbelief.  (Matt. 
xiii.  57,  58.) 

And  Jesus  answering,  said  unto  the  scribes  and  pha- 
risees ;  Hypocrites,  well  hath  Isaias  prophesied  of  you, 
saying :  This  people  honoreth  me  with  their  lips  ;  but  their 
heart  is  far  from  me.  And  in  vain  do  they  worship  me, 
teaching  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men.  And 
having  called  together  the  multitudes  unto  him,  he  said  to 
them :  Hear  ye,  and  understand ;  not  that  which  goeth 
into  the  mouth,  defileth  a  man  ;  but  what  cometh  out  of 
the  mouth,  this  defileth  a  man.  Then  came  his  disciples, 
and  said  to  him  :  Dost  thou  know  that  the  pharisees,  when 
they  heard  this  word,  were  scandalized?  But  he  answer- 
ing said:  Every  plant  which  my  heavenly  Father  hath 


ll 


70  ASHAMED    OF    CHRIST. 

not  planted,  shall  be  rooted  up.  Let  them  alone:  they 
are  blind,  and  leaders  of  the  blind.  And  if  the  blind  lead 
the  blind,  both  fall  into  the  pit.  (^Matt.  xv.  7 — 14.)  If  the 
world  hate  you,  know  ye  that  it  hath  hated  me  before  you. 
If  you  had  been  of  the  world,  the  world  would  love  its 
own ;  but  because  you  are  not  of  the  world,  but  I  have 
chosen  you  out  of  the  world,  therefore,  the  world  hateth 
you.  Remember  my  word  that  I  said  to  you :  The  ser- 
vant is  not  greater  than  his  master.  If  they  have  perse- 
cuted me,  they  will  also  persecute  you;  if  they  have  kept 
my  word,  they  will  keep  yours  also.  But  all  these  things 
they  will  do  to  you  for  my  name's  sake,  because  they 
know  not  Him  that  sent  me.  If  I  had  not  come,  and 
spoken  to  them,  they  would  not  have  sin ;  but  now  they 
have  no  excuse  for  their  sin.  He  that  hateth  me,  hateth 
my  Father  also.  If  I  had  not  done  among  them  the  works 
that  no  other  man  hath  done,  they  would  not  have  sin ; 
but  now  they  have  both  seen  and  hated  both  me  and 
my  Father:  that  the  word  may  be  fulfilled,  which  is 
written  in  their  law:  They  hated  me  without  cause.  But 
when  the  Paraclete  cometh  whom  I  will  send  you  from 
the  Father,  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  who  proceedeth  from  the 
Father,  he  shall  give  testimony  of  me :  and  you  shall  give 
testimony,  because  you  are  with  me  from  the  beginning. 
These  things  have  I  spoken  to  you,  that  you  may  not  be 
scandalized.     {John  xv.  18 — 27.  xvi.  1.) 

Words  of  Jesus  Christ  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse  on  the 

eve  of  his  passion. 


DENIAL   OF    CHRIST.  71 


DENIAL  OF  CHRIST. 


Whoever  shall  deny  me  before  men,  him  will  I 
deny  before  my  Father,  who  is  in  heaven.  Matt. 
X.  33. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  twelve  Apostles,  on  sending 
them  upon  their  mission. 

A  FAITHFUL  saying  that  .•  If  we  be  dead  with  Him,  we 
shall  live  also  with  Him ;  if  we  suffer,  we  shall  also  reign 
with  Him  ;  if  we  deny  Him,  he  will  also  deny  us ;  if  we 
believe  not  He  continueth  faithful :  he  cannot  deny  himself. 

Be  not  ashamed  of  the  testimony  of  the  Lord,  who  hath 
delivered  us,  and  called  us  by  his  holy  calling  ;  not  accord- 
ing to  our  works,  but  according  to  his  own  purpose  and 
grace,  made  manifest  by  the  illumination  of  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  destroyed  death,  and  hath  enlight- 
ened life  and  incorruption  by  the  gospel.  (I  Tim.  i.  8 — 10. 
2  Tim.  11—13.) 

I  have  not  written  to  you  as  to  such  as  know  not  the 
truth,  but  to  such  as  know  it:  and  no  lie  is  from  the 
truth.  Who  is  a  liar,  but  he  who  denieth  that  Jesus  is  the 
Christ  ■?  Whosoever  denieth  the  Son,  neither  hath  he  the 
Father.  He  that  confesseth  the  Son,  hath  the  Father  also. 
(1  John  ii.  21 — 23.)  But  there  were  also  false  prophets 
among  the  people,  even  as  there  shall  be  among  you ;  lying 
teachers  who  shall  bring  in  sects  of  perdition,  and  deny 
the  Lord  who  bought  them  :  bringing  upon  Ihemselvey 
swift  destruction.     (2  Pet.  ii.  1.) 


72  CONFESSION   OF    CHRIST. 


CONFESSION  OF  CHRIST. 

.Whosoever  shall  confess  me  before  men^Iwill  also 
confess  him  before  my  Father,  who  is  in  heaven. 
But  whosoever  shall  deny  me  before  men,  J  will  also 
deny  him  before  my  Father,  who  is  in  heaven.  For 
whosoever  shall  be  ashamed  of  me,  and  of  m,y  words, 
in  this  adulterous  and  sinful  generation,  the  Son 
of  man  also  shall  be  ashamed  of  him,  when  he  shall 
come  in  the  glory  of  his  Father  with  the  holy  angels. 
Matt.  x.  32,  33.  Mark  viii.  38. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  Disciples. 

Whosoever  shall  confess  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God, 
God  abideth  in  him,  and  he  in  God.  (1  John  iv.  15.)  If 
thou  confess  with  thy  mouth  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  believe 
in  thy  heart  that  God  hath  raised  Him  up  from  the  dead, 
ihou  shalt  be  saved.     (Rom.  x.  9.) 

Jesus  saith  to  his  disciples ;  Whom  do  you  say  that  I 
am?  Simon  Peter  answering  said:  Thou  art  Christ  the 
Son  of  the  living  God,  (Matt.  xvi.  15,  16.) 

Jesus  said  to  Martha  •  He  that  believeth  in  me,  although 
he  be  dead,  shall  live ;  and  every  one  that  liveth  and  be- 
lieveth in  me,  shall  not  die  forever.  Believeth  thou  this? 
She  saith  to  Him  ;  yea  Lord,  I  have  believed  that  Thou 
art  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God,  who  art  come  into 
the  world.      (John  xi.  25 — 27.) 

A  faithful  saying  this,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation  : 
That  Christ  Jesus  came  into  this  world  to  save  sinners, 
of  whom  I  am  the  chief.     (1  Tim.  i.  15.) 

By  this  hath  appeared  the  charity  of  God  in  us,  because 
God  hath  sent  his  only  begotten  Son  into  the  world,  that 


CONFESSION    OF    CHRIST.  73 

we  might  live  through  Him.  And  we  have  seen,  and  do 
testify,  that  the  Father  hath  Unt  his  Son  the  Saviour  of 
the  world.     (1  John  iv.  9,  14.) 

And  the  Eunuch  said  to  Philip :  *  See,  here  is  water ; 
what  hindereth  me  from  being  baptized  1'  And  Philip  said' 
If  thou  believes t  with  thy  whole  heart,  thou  mayest.  And 
he  answering,  said:  I  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son 
of  God.     {Ads.  viii.  36,  37.) 

By  this  is  the  Spirit  of  God  known  ;  every  spirit  that 
confesseth  Jesus  Christ  to  have  come  in  the  flesh,  is  of 
God.  (I  John  VI.  2.)  But  the  God  of  this  world  hath  blinded 
the  minds  of  unbelievers,  that  the  light  of  the  gospel  of 
the  glory  of  Christ,  who  is  the  image  of  God,  should  not 
shine  unto  them.  (2  Cor.  iv.  4.)  But  he  that  believeth  in 
the  Son  of  God,  hath  the  testimony  of  God  in  himself.  He 
that  believeth  not  the  Son,  maketh  him  a  liar  :  because  he 
believeth  not  in  the  testimony  which  God  halh  testified  of 
his  Son.  And  this  is  the  testimony,  that  God  hath  given 
to  us — eternal  life ;  and  this  life  is  in  his  Son.  He  that  hath 
the  Son,  hath  life :  he  that  hath  not  the  Son,  hath  not  life. 
These  things  I  write  to  you,  that  you  may  know  that  you 
have  eternal  life,  who  believe  in  the  name  of  the  Son  of 
God.     (2  John  v.  10—13.)       • 

And  when  Jesus  was  coming  near  the  descent  of  Mount 
Olivet,  the  whole  multitude  of  his  disciples  began  with 
joy  to  praise  God  with  a  loud  voice,  for  all  the  mighty 
works  they  had  seen,  saying:  Blessed  is  he  who  cometh 
king,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  peace  in  heaven,  and  glory 
on  high !    {St.  Luke  xix.  37,  38.) 

7 


74  CHRIST,    MEEKNESS   OF. 


CHRIST,  MEEKNESS  OF. 

Learn  ofme^for  I  am  meek  and  humble  of  heart, 
and  you  shall  Jind  rest  for  your  souls.  Matt.  xi.  29. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  Disciples. 

At  that  hour  the  disciples  came  to  Jesus,  saying :  Who, 
thinkest  thou,  is  the  greatest  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven? 
And  Jesus  calling  unto  him  a  little  child,  set  him  in  the 
midst  of  them,  and  jaid :  Amen,  I  say  unto  you,  unless 
you  be  converted,  and  become  as  little  children,  you  shall 
not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  Whosoever,  there- 
fore, shall  humble  himself  as  this  little  child,  he  is  the 
greatest  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.     (Matt,  xviii.  1 — 4.) 

Many  followed  Jesus,  and  he  healed  them  all.  And  he 
charged  them  that  they  should  not  make  him  known.  That 
the  word  might  be  fulfilled,  which  was  spoken  by  Isaias 
the  prophet,  saying:  Behold  my  servant  whom  I  have 
chosen,  my  beloved  in  whom  my  soul  hath  been  well 
pleased.  I  will  put  my  Spirit  upon  him,  and  he  shall  show 
judgment  to  the  Gentiles.  He  shall  not  contend,  nor  cry 
out,  neither  shall  any  man  hear  his  voice  in  the  streets. 
The  bruised  reed  he  shall  not  break,  and  smoking  flax 
he  shall  not  extinguish,  till  he  send  forth  judgment  unto 
victory.  And  in  his  name  the  Gentiles  shall  hope.  (Matt. 
xii.  15—21.) 

I  exhort  you  by  the  meekness  and  gentleness  of  Jesus 
Christ,  (2  Cor.  ix.  1.)  that  you  walk  worthy  of  the  voca- 
tion in  which  you  are  called,  with  all  humility  and  mild- 
ness, with  patience  supporting  one  another  in  charity. 
(Eph.  iv.  1,  2.)  And  put  ye  on,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy 
and  beloved,  the  bowels  of  mercy,  benignity, humility, 
modesty,  patience.     (Col.  iii.  12.) 


FAITH.  75 

Let  nothing  be  done  but  in  humility,  each  esteeming 
others  better  than  themselves.  Each  one  not  considering 
the  things  that  are  his  own,  but  those  that  are  other  men's. 
For  let  this  mind  be  in  you,  which  was  also  in  Christ 
Jesus  ;  Who  being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it  no  rob- 
bery to  be  equal  with  God;  but  debased  himself,  taking 
the  form  of  a  servant,  being  made  in  the  likeness  of  men, 
and  in  fashion  found  as  a  man.  He  humbled  himself,  be- 
coming obedient  unto  death,  even  the  death  of  the  cross. 
Wherefore  God  also  hath  exalted  Him,  and  hath  given  Him 
a  name  which  is  above  every  name  :  That  in  the  name 
of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  those  that  are  in  heaven, 
on  earth,  and  under  the  earth;  and  that  every  tongue, 
should  confess  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  in  the  glory 
of  God  the  Father.     (^Phil.  ii.  3—11.) 


FAITH. 


Have  the  faith  of  God.  Amen^  I  say  unto  you, 
that  whosoever  shall  not  stagger  in  his  heart,  but 
believe  that  whatsoever  he  saith  shall  be  done,  it 
shall  be  done  unto  him.  Therefore  I  say  to  you,  all 
things  whatsoever  you  ask  when  ye  pray,  believe 
that  you  shall  receive,  and  they  shall  come  unto  you, 
Luke  viii.  25.  St.  Mark  ii.  22 — 24. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  Disciples. 

Lord  increase  our  faiih  !     (Luke  xvii.  5.) 

Words  of  the  Disciples  to  Jesus  Christ. 

Faith  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  the  evidence 
of  things  not  seen.  Without  faith  it  is  impossible  to  please 
God;  for  he  thatcomethto  God  must  believe  that  He  is, 


76  FAITH. 

and  that  He  is  a  rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek 
Him.     (Heb.  xi.  1—6.) 

The  just  man  liveth  by  faith.  (Gal.  iii.  11.)  Behold,  he 
that  is  unbelieving,  his  soul  shall  not  be  right  in  himself: 
but  the  just  shall  live  in  his  faith.  (Hab.  ii.  4.)  To  whom 
did  the  Almighty  swear  that  they  should  not  enter  into  his 
rest,  but  to  them  who  were  incredulous  1  And  we  see  that 
they  could  not  enter  in,  because  of  incredulity.  (Heb.  iii. 
18,  19.)  We  in  spirit,  by  faith,  wait  for  the  hope  of  jus- 
tice. For  the  fruit  of  the  spirit  is  faith.  (Gal.  v.  5,  22.) 
By  grace  you  are  saved  through  faith,  and  this  not  of  your- 
selves ;  for  it  is  the  gift  of  God.     (Eph.  ii.  8.) 

What  shall  it  profit,  my  brethren,  if  a  man  say  he  hath 
faith,  but  hath  not  works  1  Shall  faith  be  able  to  save  him "? 
Faith,  if  it  has  not  works,  is  dead  in  itself.  But  some  men 
will  say;  Thou  hast  faith,  and  I  have  works.  Show  me 
thy  faith  without  works ;  and  I  will  show  thee  my  faith, 
by  works.  Thou  believest  that  there  is  one  God;  thou 
dost  well:  the  devils  also  believe  and  tremble.  But  wilt 
thou  know,  O  vain  man,  that  faith  without  works  is  dead. 
Do  you  see  that  by  works  a  man  is  justif  ed,  and  not  by 
faith  only  1  For  as  the  body  without  the  spirit  is  dead, 
so  also  faith  without  works  is  dead.     (James  ii.  17 — 26.) 

Continue  then  in  the  faith,  grounded  and  settled;  and 
immovable  from  the  hope  of  the  Gospel  which  you  have 
heard,  which  is  preached  in  all  the  creation.  (Cul.  i.  23.) 
Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith ;  lay  hold  on  eternal  life,  where- 
unto  thou  art  called,  (1  Tim.  vi.  12.)  receiving  the  end  of 
your  faith,  even  the  salvation  of  your  souls.    (1  Pet.  i.  9.) 

I  have  fought  a  good  fight ;  I  have  finished  my  course  ; 
I  have  kept  the  faith.  For  the  rest,  there  is  laid  up  for  me 
a  crown  of  justice,  which  the  Lord,  the  just  judge,  will 
render  to  me  at  that  day  ;  and  not  to  me  only,  but  to  them 
also  who  love  his  coming.     (2  Tim.  iv.  7,  8.) 


WANT   OF    FAITH.  77 


WANT  OF  FAITH. 

Why  are  you  fearful  ?  Have  you  not  faith  yet  ? 
Mark  iv.  40. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  Disciples. 

Do  you  not  yet  know  nor  understand?  have  you 
still  your  heart  blinded  ?  Having  eyes  you  see  not  ? 
and  having  ears  you  hear  not?  St.  Mark  viii.  17, 18. 

Words  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  Pharisees. 

AiTD  the  Lord  said  to  Moses  :  How  long  will  this  people 
detract  me  1  How  long  will  they  not  believe  me  for  all  the 
signs  that  I  have  wrought  before  themi  (Num.  xiv.  11.) 
Take  heed,  brethren,  lest  there  be  in  any  of  you  an  evil 
heart  of  unbelief,  to  depart  from  the  living  God.  But  ex- 
hort one  another  every  day,  whilst  to-day  is  named;  lest 
any  one  of  you  be  hardened  by  the  deceitfulness  of  sin. 
For  we  are  made  partakers  of  Christ :  yet  so,  if  we  hold 
the  beginning  of  his  substance  firm  unto  the  end.  While 
it  is  said;  To-day  if  you  shall  hear  his  voice,  harden  not 
your  hearts,  as  in  that  provocation.  And  to  whom  did  He 
swear  that  they  should  not  enter  into  his  rest,  but  to  them 
who  were  incredulous  1  And  we  see  that  they  could  not 
enter  in,  because  of  incredulity.     (Heb.  iii.  12 — 19.) 

I  came,  and  there  was  none  to  receive  me ;  I  called,  and 
there  was  none  that  would  hear  me.  Is  my  hand  short- 
ened, and  become  powerless,  that  I  cannot  redeem  1  or  is 
there  no  strength  in  me  to  deliver!  (Isa.  \x.  2.)  When 
the  Son  of  man  cometh,  shall  he  find,  think  you,  faith  on 
earth  1     (Lu/ce  xviii.  8.) 

Then  Jesus  said  to  the  Jews  i  I  go  my  way,  and  you 
shall  seek  me,  and  you  shall  die  in  your  sin.     Whither  I 


78  THE    POWER    OF    FAITH. 

go,  you  cannot  come.  You  are  from  beneath ;  I  am  from 
above.  You  are  of  this  world ;  I  am  not  of  this  world. 
Therefore  I  said  to  you,  that  you  shall  die  in  your  sins : 
for  if  you  believe  not  that  I  am  He,  you  shall  die  in  your 
sin.  {John  viii.  21,  24.)  He  that  belie veth  in  the  Son  hath 
life  everlasting;  but  he  that  believeth  not  the  Son,  shall 
not  see  life,  but  the  wrath  of  God  abide th  on  him.  {John 
iii.  36.)  Unless  you  see  signs  and  wonders,  you  believe 
not.  {John  iv.  48.)  You  know  not  what  you  ask.  {Mark, 
X.  38.)  Beware !  he  that  is  a  searcher  into  Majesty,  shall 
be  overwhelmed  by  the  glory  thereof.  {Prov.  xxv.  27.) 
And  the  Lord  spoke  to  Achaz  saying :  Ask  thee  a  sign  of 
the  Lord  thy  God,  either  unto  the  depth  of  hell,  or  unto 
the  height  above.  And  Achaz  said :  I  will  not  ask,  and 
I  will  not  tempt  the  Lord.  {ha.  vii.  10 — 12.)  Though  thou 
standest  by  faith,  be  not  high-minded,  but  fear.  {Rom.  xi. 
20.)  If  thou  are  grafted  on  the  stock,  thou  partakest  of 
the  root  and  fatness  of  the  olive.  But  boast  not:  thou 
bearest  not  the  root,  but  the  root  thee.  Thou  standest  by 
faith :  be  not  high-minded,  but  fear,  lest  thou  also  be  cut 
off.     {Rom.  xi.  17—22.) 


THE  POWER  OF  FAITH. 

Fear  not :  only  believe.     St.  Mark  v.  36. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  ruler  of  the  synagogue^ 
whose  daughter  lay  dead. 

Lord,  I  do  believe :  help  Thou  my  unbelief.    {St.  Mark 
ix.  23.) 

Words  of  the  Father  whose  Son  was  possessed. 

There  came  a  man  to  Jesus,  who  fell  down  on  his  knees 


THE    POWER   OF    FAITH.  79 

before  him,  saying:  Lord, have  pity  on  my  son, for  he  is  a 
lunatic,  and  suffereth  much ;  for  he  falleth  often  into  the  fire, 
often  into  the  water ;  and  I  brought  him  to  thy  disciples,  ani 
and  they  could  not  cure  him.  And  Jesus  answered,  and 
said:  O  unbelieving  and  perverse  generation,  how  long 
shall  I  be  with  youl  how  long  shall  I  suffer  you?  Bring 
him  hither  to  me.  And  Jesus  rebuked  him,  and  the  devil 
went  out  of  him  :  and  the  child  was  cured  from  that  hour. 
Then  came  the  disciples  to  Jesus  secretly,  and  said ;  Why 
could  not  we  cast  him  out  ]  Jesus  said  to  them  ;  Because 
of  your  unbelief :  for,  amen  I  say  to  you,  if  you  have  faith 
as  a  grain  of  mustard-seed,  you  shall  say  to  this  mountain ; 
Remove  from  hence  to  yonder  place,  and  it  shall  remove; 
and  nothing  shall  be  impossible  to  you.  {Matt.  xvii. 
14—19.) 

Jesus  saith  to  them  :  Have  the  faith  of  God.  Amen  I 
say  to  you,  that  whosoever  shalt  say  to  this  mountain ; 
Be  thou  removed,  and  be  thou  cast  into  the  sea,  and  shall 
not  stagger  in  his  heart,  but  believe  that  whatsoever  he 
.shall  say  shall  be  done,  it  shall  be  done  for  him.  There- 
fore I  say  to  you,  all  things  whatsoever  you  ask  when  ye 
pray,  believe  that  you  shall  receive,  and  they  shall  come 
unto  you.     {Mark  xi.  22 — 24.) 

Whatsoever  is  born  of  God,overcometh  the  world:  and 
this  is  the  victory  which  overcoraeth  the  world,  our  faith. 
Who  is  he  that  overcometh  the  world,  but  he  that  believeth 
that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God  1  (1  Jolin  v.  4,  5.)  Jesus  saith 
to  Philip ;  do  you  not  believe  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and 
the  Father  in  mel  The  words  that  I  speak  to  you,  I  speak 
not  of  myself ;  but  the  Father  who  abideth  in  me.  He  doth 
the  works.  Believe  you  not  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and 
the  Father  in  me  1  Otherwise,  believe  for  the  works  them- 
selves.    {John  xiv.  10—12.) 


80  EXAMPLES    OF    THE    POWER    OF    FAITH. 


EXAMPLES  OF  THE  POWER  OF  FAITH. 

If  thou  canst  believe : — all  things  are  possible  to 

him  that  believeth.     Mark  ix.  22. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  father  of  the  youth, 
possessed  by  a  dumb  spirit. 

Abraham  believed,  and  it  was  reputed  to  him  unto  jus- 
tice ;  who,  against  hope,  believed  in  hope.  He  was  not 
weak  in  faith;  in  the  promise  also  of  God  he  staggered 
not  by  distrust,  but  was  strengthened  in  faith,  giving  glory 
to  God.  Most  fully  knowing,  that  whatsoever  God  hath 
promised,  He  is  able  also  to  perform.  (Rom.  iv.  3,  18 — 21.) 
Daniel  was  taken  out  of  the  Lions'  den,  and  no  hurt  was 
found  in  him,  because  he  had  believed.     (Dan.  vi.  23.) 

Behold,  a  woman,  who  had  been  troubled  with  an  issue 
of  blood  twelve  years,  came  behind  Jesus,  and  touched  the 
hem  of  his  garment.  For  she  said,  within  herself;  If  I 
shall  but  touch  his  garment,  I  shall  be  healed.  But  Jesus 
turning  about,  and  seeing  her,  said:  Take  courage, 
daughter;  thy  faith  hath  made  thee  whole:  go  in  peace. 
And  the  woman  was  made  whole  from  that  hour.  (Matt, 
ix.  20—22.) 

As  Jesus  was  departing,  there  followed  him  two  blind 
men,  crying  out,  and  saying:  Son  of  David,  have  mercy 
on  us.  And  when  he  was  come  to  the  house,  the  blind 
men  came  to  him.  And  Jesus  saith  to  them  :  Do  you 
believe  that  I  can  do  this  unto  you  1  They  say  to  him ; 
Yea,  Lord.  Then  he  touched  their  eyes,  saying:  Accord- 
ing to  your  faith,  be  it  done  unto  you.  And  their  eyes  were 
opened.    (Matt.  ix.  27—30.) 

And  Jesus  said  to  the  father  of  the  boy  possessed  by  a 
dumb  spirit;  If  thou  canst  believe: — all  things  are  possi- 
ble to  him  that  believeth.  And  immediately  the  father  of 


CHRIST    THE    OBJECT    OF    OUR    FAITH.  81 

the  boy  crying  out  with  tears  said :  <  I  do  believe ;  Lord, 
help  Thou  my  unbelief !'  {Mark  ix.  22, 23.) 

Now  Thomas,  one  of  the  twelve,  who  is  called,  Didy- 
mus,  was  not  with  them  when  Jesus  came.  The  other 
disciples,  therefore,  said  to  him :  We  have  seen  the  Lord. 
But  he  said  to  them  :  Unless  I  shall  see  in  his  hands  the 
print  of  the  nails,  and  put  my  finger  into  the  place  of  the 
nails,  and  put  my  hand  into  his  side,  I  will  not  believe.  And 
after  eight  days  his  disciples  were  again  within,  and  Thomas 
with  them.  Jesus  cometh,  the  doors  being  shut,  and  stood 
in  the  midst,  and  said:  Peace  be  to  you.  Then  he  saith 
to  Thomas :  Put  in  thy  finger  hither,  and  see  my  hands, 
and  bring  hither  thy  hand,  and  put  it  into  my  side  :  and  be 
not  incredulous,  but  faithful.  Thomas  answered,  and  said 
to  him  :  My  Lord,  and  my  God  :  Jesus  saith  to  him  :  Be- 
cause thou  hast  seen  me,  Thomas,  thou  hast  believed  : 
blessed  are  they  that  have  not  seen,  and  have  believed. 
{St.  John  XX.  24.) 


CHRIST  THE  OBJECT  OF  OUR  FAITH. 

Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled.     You  believe  in 

God ;  believe  also  in  me.     In  my  Father'' s  house 

there  are  many  inansions.     If  not,  I  would  have 

told  you;  because  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you. 

And  if  I  shall  go,  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  1 

toill  come  again,  and  will  take  you  to  myself ;  that 

where  I  am,  you  also  may  be.     And  whither  I  go 

you  know,  and  the  way  you  know. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  in  his  discourse  to  his  disciples, 
on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

AxD  thou  shall  say  in  that  day :  Behold,  God  is  my 
Saviour,  I  will  deal  confidently,  and  will  not  fear ;  because 
the  Lord  is  my  strength,  and  my  praise,  and  He  is  become 


82  CHRIST    THE    OBJECT    OF    OUR    FAITH 

my  salvation.  You  shall  draw  waters  with  joy  out  of  the 
fountains  of  the  Saviour.  (Isa.  xii.  1 — 3.)  Cast  thy  care  upon 
the  Lord,  and  He  will  sustain  thee ;  He  will  not  suffer  the 
just  to  waver  forever.  (Ps.  liv.  23.)  The  Lord  hath  ap- 
peared from  afar  to  me.  Yea  I  have  loved  thee  with  an 
everlasting  love  ;  therefore  have  I  drawn  thee,  taking  pity 
on  thee.  {Jer.  xxxi.  3.)  He  hath  said ;  I  will  not  leave  thee, 
neither  will  I  forsake  thee :  so  that  we  may  confidently 
say ;  the  Lord  is  my  helper.     {Heh.  xiii.  5,  6.) 

Dearly  beloved,  if  our  heart  do  not  reprehend  us,  we 
have  confidence  towards  God.  And  this  is  his  command- 
ment :  that  we  should  believe  in  the  name  of  his  Son  Jesus 
Christ;  (1  JbAn  iii.  21,  23.)  in  whom  we  have  affiance, 
and  access  with  confidence,  through  our  faith  in  Him. 
{Eph.  iii.  12.) 

As  therefore  you  have  received  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord, 
walk  ye  in  Him ;  rooted,  and  built  up  in  Him,  and  con- 
firmed in  the  faith,  abounding  in  Him  to  thanksgiving. 
For  in  Him  dwelleth  all  the  fulness  of  the  Godhead  corpo- 
rally ;  and  you  are  filled  in  Him,  who  is  the  head  of  all 
principality  and  power.     {Cul.  ii.  6 — 10.) 

I  therefore  beseech  you,  that  you  walk  worthy  of  the 
vocation  in  which  you  are  called.  {Eph.  iv.  1.)  He  is 
faithful  who  hath  called  you ;  and  He  will  also  perform. 
(1  Thess.  V.  24.) 

I  beseech  you  by  the  meekness  and  genileness  of  Christ, 
bring  into  captivity  every  understanding  to  the  obedience 
of  Christ;  (2  Cor.  x.  1,5.)  for  you  are  Christ's,  and 
Christ  is  God's.  (1  Cor.  iii.  13.)  Lose  not,  therefore,  your 
confidence  in  Him,  which  hath  a  great  reward.  Yet  a 
little  while,  and  He  that  is  to  come,  will  come,  and  will 
not  delay.  We  are  not  the  children  of  withdrawal  unto 
perdition,  but  of  faith  to  the  salvation  of  the  soul ;  {Heb. 
X.  35 — 39.)  waiting  for  the  blessed  hope,  and  coming  of 


CHRIST    THE    FINISHER    OF    FAITH.  83 

the  glory  of  the  great  God,  and  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
who  gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from 
all  iniquity,  and  purify  unto  himself  a  people  acceptable, 
pursuing  good  works.     (TtY.  ii.  13,  14.) 


CHRIST  THE  AUTHOR  AND  FINISHER  OF 
OUR  FAITH. 

Holy  Father,  keep  them  in  thy  name  whom  Tliou 
hast  given  me ;  that  they  may  be  one,  as  we  also 
are.  I  in  them,  and  Thou  in  me  ;  that  they  may 
be  made  perfect  in  one.  Father,  I  will  that  where  1 
am,  they  also  whom  Thou  hast  given  me,  may  be 
with  me;  that  they  may  see  my  glory,  because  Thou 
hast  loved  me  from  the  foundation  of  the  world. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  prayer  for  his  disciples  on 
the  eve  of  his  passion. 

His  strength  shall  be  perfected  in  your  weakness. 
(2  Cor.  xii.  9. ;)  He  hath  begun  a  good  work  in  you.  He 
will  perfect  the  same ;  (Phil.  i.  6.;)  and  to  whomsoever  he 
has  been  the  Author  of  their  faith,  He  will  be  the  Finisher 
of  the  same.  (Heb.  xii.  2.)  Of  those  whom  the  Father  gave 
him,  no  one  hath  perished.  (John  xvii.  12.)  The  just  man 
will  hold  on  his  way ;  and  his  hands  will  grow  stronger 
and  stronger;  (Job.  xvii.  9.;)  his  path  is  onward,  and  as  a 
shining  light  encreaseth  even  to  perfect  day.  (Pro.  iv.  18.) 

The  man  who,  after  putting  his  hand  to  the  plough,  should 
look  back,  is  not  fit  for  the  kingdom  of  God.  (Luke  ix.  62.) 
We  ought  so  to  walk,  as  to  please  God,  and  to  abound  the 
more;  (1  Thess.  iv.  1.)  forgetting  the  things  that  are  be- 
hind, and  stretching  forth  ourselves  to  those  that  are  before, 
press  forward  towards  the  mark,  for  the  prize  of  the  high 


84  THE    POWER   OF    WORKING    MIRACLES. 

calling  of  God  in  Jesus  Christ.  {Phil.  iii.  13,  14.)  To 
every  one  of  us  is  given  grace  according  to  the  measure 
of  the  giving  of  Christ;  to  whom  we  have  access  with 
boldness  and  confidence  by  our  faith  in  Him  ;  that  doing 
the  truth  in  charity,  we  may  in  all  things  grow  up  in  Him 
who  is  the  head,  even  Christ ;  until  we  all  meet  into  the  unity 
of  faith,  and  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God,  unto  a  per- 
fect man,  unto  the  measure  of  the  age  of  the  fulness  of 
Christ.  {Eph.  iv.  7,  13, 15.)  Now  to  Him,  who  is  able  to 
preserve  you  without  sin,  and  to  present  you  spotless 
before  the  presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy  in  the 
coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  to  the  only  God  our  Sa- 
viour, through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  be  glory  and  magni- 
ficence, empire  and  power  before  all  ages,  both  now,  and 
for  ever  and  ever.  Amen.     {Jude  24,  25.) 


THE  POWER  OF  WORKING  MIRACLES. 

Amen,  amen,  I  say  to  you,  he  that  believeth  in 
me,  the  works  that  J  do  he  shall  do  also  ;  and  great- 
er than  these  shall  he  do :  because  I  go  to  the  Father. 
John  xiv.  12. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse 
on  the  eve  of  his  passio?i. 

Praise  ye  the  Lord,  and  call  upon  his  name;  make 
known  his  doings  among  the  nations.  Sing  to  Him ;  yea 
sing  praises  to  Him,  and  relate  all  his  wondrous  works. 
Remember  his  wonderful  works,  which  he  hath  done ;  his 
signs,  and  the  judgments  of  his  mouth.  Sing  ye  to  the 
Lord,  all  the  earth ;  show  forth  from  day  to  day  his  salva- 
tion. Declare  his  glory  among  the  Gentiles,  his  wonders 
among  all  people.     Praise  ^nd  magnificence  are  before 


THE    POWER   OF    WORKING    MIRACLES.  85 

him ;  strength  and  joy  in  his  place.  Give  to  the  Lord 
glory  10  his  name ;  bring  up  sacrifice,  and  come  ye  in  his 
sight ;  and  adore  the  Lord  in  holy  becomingness.  Let  the 
heavens  rejoice,  and  the  earth  be  glad;  and  let  them  say 
among  the  nations :  The  Lord  hath  reigned.  Blessed  be 
the  Lord  the  God  of  Israel  from  eternity  to  eternity ;  and 
let  all  the  people  say:  Amen.  (1  Paral.  xvi.  8 — 36.) 

Peter  lifted  up  his  voice,  and  spoke  to  the  multitude :  Ye 
men  of  Judea,  and  all  you  that  dwell  in  Jerusalem,  be  this 
known  to  you,  and  with  your  ears  receive  my  words.  This 
is  that  which  was  spoken  of  by  the  prophet  Joel :  And  it 
shall  come  to  pass,  in  the  last  days,  (saith  the  Lord)  that  I 
will  pour  out  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh ;  and  upon  my  ser- 
vants will  I   pour  out   my  Spirit  in  those  days;  and  I 
will  show  wonders  in  the  heaven  above,  and  signs  on  the 
earth  beneath.    {Ads  u.  14—19.)     And  fear  came  upon 
every  soul,  and  many  wonders  and  signs  were  done  by 
the  apostles  in  Jerusalem,  and  there  was  great  fear  in  all. 
And  by  the  hands  of  the  apostles  many  signs  and  wonders 
were  done  among  the  people.  And  they  were  all  with  one 
accord  in  Solomon's  porch.     But  of  the  rest  no  one  durst 
join  himself  to  them  ;  but  the  people  magnified  them.  And 
the  multitude  of  men  and  women  that  believed  in  the  Lord 
was  more  increased,  insomuch  that  they  brought  out  the 
sick  into  the  streets,  and  laid  them  on  beds  and  couches, 
that  when  Peter  came,  his  shadow  at  the  least  might  over- 
shadow some  of  them,  and  they  might  be  delivered  from 
their  infirmities.     And  there  came  also  together  to  Jeru- 
salem a  multitude  out  of  the  neighboring  cities,  bringing 
sick  persons,  and  such  as   were  troubled  with  unclean 
spirits  ;  who  were  all  healed.     Now  Stephen,  full  of  grace 
and  fortitude,  did  great  wonders  and  miracles  among  the 
people.     {Ads  ii.  43.  v.  12 — 16.  vi.  8.) 

The  signs  of  my  apostleship  have  been  wrought  on  you, 


86  CHRIST    THE    HOPE    OF    GLORY. 

in  all  patience,  in  signs  and  wonders,  and  mighty  deeds. 
(2  Cor.  xii.  12.)  For  I  dare  not  speak  of  any  of  those 
things  which  Christ  worketh  not  by  me,  for  the  obedience 
of  the  Gentiles,  by  word  and  by  deeds,  by  the  virtue  of 
signs  and  wonders  in  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost.  (Rom. 
XV.  18,  19.) 

And  God  wrought  special  miracles  by  the  hand  of  Paul, 
so  that  even  there  were  brought  from  his  body  to  the  sick, 
handkerchiefs  and  aprons,  and  the  diseases  departed  from 
them,  and  the  wicked  spirits  went  out  of  them.  Now  some 
of  the  Jewish  exorcists,  who  went  about,  attempted  to  in- 
voke over  them  that  had  evil  spirits,  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  saying:  I  conjure  you  by  Jesus  whom  Paul  preach- 
eth.  And  there  were  certain  men,  seven  sons  of  Sceva  a 
Jew,  a  chief  priest,  who  did  this.  But  an  evil  spirit  an- 
swering, said  to  them ;  Jesus  I  know,  and  Paul  I  know ; 
but  who  are  you  1  And  the  man  in  whom  the  evil  spirit 
was,  leaping  upon  them,  and  mastering  them  both,  pre- 
vailed against  them,  so  that  they  fled  out  of  that  house 
naked  and  wounded.     (Acts  xix.  11 — 16.) 


CHRIST  THE  HOPE  OF  GLORY. 

In  his  name  the   Gentiles  shall  hope.      Matt. 

xii.  21. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude,  citing  the 
testimony  of  the  prophet  Isaias. 

The  mystery  hidden  from  ages  and  generations,  is  now 
manifested  to  his  saints ;  and  the  riches  of  the  glory  of 
this  mystery  which  is  Christ,  is  in  you  the  hope  of  glory. 
(Co/,  i.  27.)  Little  children,  abide  in  Christ;  that  when 
He  shall  appear,  we  may  have  confidence,  and  not  be  con- 


CHRIST    THE    HOPE    OF    GLORY.  87 

founded  by  Him  at  his  coming.  (1  John  ii.  28.)  Thanks 
be  to  God  for  his  unspeakable  gift,  (2  Cor.  ix.  15.)  the  intro- 
duction of  a  better  hope,  by  which  we  approach  to  God.  (Heb. 
vii.  19.)  For  what  things  soever  were  written,  were  written 
for  our  instruction ;  that,  through  patience  and  the  com- 
fort of  the  Scriptures,  we  might  have  hope  ;  (Rom.  xv.  4.) 
the  hope  of  life  everlasting,  which  God,  who  lieth  not, 
hath  promised  before  the  times  of  the  world.  (Tit.  i.  2.) 
For  we  are  saved  by  hope.  But  hope  that  is  seen,  is  not 
hope :  for  what  a  man  seeth,  why  doth  he  hope  for  if?  but 
if  we  hope  for  that  which  we  see  not,  we  wait  for  it  with 
patience.  (Rom.  viii.  24,  25.)  Continue  then  in  the  faith, 
grounded  and  settled,  and  immovable  from  the  hope  of  the 
gospel  which  you  have  heard;  (Col.  i.  23.)  and  which  we 
have  as  an  anchor  of  the  soul,  sure  and  firm,  and  which 
entereth  even  within  the  veil.  (Heb.  vi.  18,  19.) 

We  give  thanks  to  God  always  for  you  all ;  making  a 
remembrance  of  you  in  our  prayers,  without  ceasing. 
Being  mindful  of  the  work  of  your  faith,  and  labor,  and 
charity,  and  of  the  enduring  of  the  hope  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  before  God  and  our  Father ;  (1  Thess.  i.  2,  3.)  and  the 
hope  that  is  laid  up  for  you  in  heaven,  which  you  have 
heard  in  the  word  of  truth  in  the  gospel,  bringeth  forth 
fruit  and  groweth,  since  the  day  you  heard  and  know  the 
grace  of  God  in  truth.  (Col.  i.  5,  6.)  Now  the  God  of  hope 
fill  you  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing  ;  that  you  may 
abound  in  hope,  and  in  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost; 
(Rom.  XV.  13.)  and  may  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  himself, 
who  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  given  us  everlasting  conso- 
^ion,  and  good  hope  in  grace,  exhort  your  hearts,  and 
confirm  you  in  every  good  work  and  word.  (2  Thess  ii. 
16,  17.) 


88  THE    CHARITY    OF    CHRIST. 


THE  CHARITY  OF  CHRIST. 

Jls  the  Father  hath  loved  7ne,  I  also  have  loved 
you.  Abide  in  my  love.  If  you  keep  my  command' 
7nents,  you  shall  abide  in  my  love  ;  as  J  also  have 
kept  my  Father'' s  commandments,  and  do  abide  in 
his  love.  This  is  my  commandment,  that  you  love 
one  another,  as  I  have  loved  you.  Greater  love  than 
this  no  man  hath,  that  a  man  lay  down  his  life  for 
his  friends.     John  xv.  9 — 13. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse 
on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord ;  I  will  be  the  God  of  all  the  fami- 
lies of  Israel,  and  they  shall  be  my  people.  Yea,  I  have 
loved  them  with  an  everlasting  love  ;  therefore  have  I 
drawn  them,  taking  pity  on  them.     (Jer.  xxxi.  1,  3.) 

The  mountains  shall  be  moved,  and  the  hills  shall  trem- 
ble ;  but  my  mercy  shall  not  depart  from  thee,  and  the 
covenant  of  my  peace  shall  not  be  movedj  said  the  Lord 
that  hath  mercy  on  thee.  (Jsa.  liv.  10.)  In  that  day  it  shall 
be  said  to  Jerusalem ;  Fear  not :  to  Sion ;  Let  not  thy 
hands  be  weakened.  The  Lord  thy  God  in  the  midst  of 
thee  is  mighty :  He  will  save ;  He  will  rejoice  over  thee 
with  gladness ;  He  will  be  silent  in  his  love  ;  He  will  be 
joyful  over  thee  in  praise.  (Zach.  iii.  17.)  What  is  man 
that  thou  shouldst  magnify  him?  or  why  dost  thou  set  thy 
heart  upon  him]  Thou  visitest  him  early  in  the  morning. 
(Job.  vii.  17,  18.)  What  is  man  that  thou  art  mindful  of 
himl  or  the  son  of  man  that  thou  visitest  him?  Thou 
hast  made  him  a  little  less  than  the  Angels,  thou  hast 
crowned  him  with  glory  and  honor,  and  hast  set  him 
over  the  works  of  thy  hands.     O  Lord  our  Lord,  how  ad- 


THE    CHARITY    OF    CHRIST.  89 

mirable  is  thy  name  in  all  the  earth!       (Ps.  viii.  5,  6, 
10.) 

In  this  we  have  known  the  charity  of  God,  because  He 
hath  laid  down  his  life  for  us :  and  we  ought  to  lay  down 
our  lives  for  the  brethren.     God  is  charity.     By  this  hath 
the  charity  of  God  appeared  towards  us,  because  God  hath 
sent  his  only  begotten  Son  into  the  world,  that  we  may 
live  by  him.     In  this  is  charity:  not  as  though  we  had 
loved  God,  but  because  he  hath  first  loved  us,  and  sent  his 
Son  to  be  a  propitiation  for  our  sins.  And  we  have  known, 
and  have  believed  the  charity,  which  God  hath  to  us.  God 
is  charity :  and  he  that  abideth  in  charity,  abideth  in  God, 
and  God  in  him.     In  this  is  the  charity  of  God  perfected 
with  us,  that  we  may  have  confidence  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment ;  because  as  He  is,  we  also  are  in  this  world.    Fear 
is  not  in  charity  :  but  perfect  charity  casteth  out  fear,  be- 
cause fear  hath  pain.  And  he  that  feareth,  is  not  perfected 
in  charity.     Let  us  therefore  love  God,  because  God  first 
hath  loved  us.  (1  Johii  iii.  16.  iv.  9,  10,  16—19.)    For  God 
so  loved  the  world,  as  to  give  his  only  begotten  Son ;  that 
whosoever  believeth  in  him,  may  not  perish,  but  may  have 
life  everlasting.     For  God  sent  not  his  Son  into  the  world, 
to  judge  the  world,  but  that  the  world  may  be  saved  by 
him.  (John  iii.  16,  17.)     Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father 
of  our   Lord  Jestjs    Christ,  who   hath  blessed   us   with 
spiritual  blessings  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ.     As  he 
chose  us  in  him  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  that 
we  should  be  holy  and  unspotted  in  his  sight  in  charity. 
God  (who  is  rich  in  mercy)  for  his  exceeding  charity 
wherewith  he  loved  us,  even  when  we  were  dead  in  sins, 
hath  quickened   us  together  in  Christ,  (by  whose  grace 
you  are  saved,)  and  hath  raised  us  up  together,  and  hath 
made  us  sit  together  in  the  heavenly  places  through  Christ 
Jesus  ;  that  he  might  show  in  the  ages  to  come  the  abun- 

8* 


90  RETURN    OF    LOVE. 

dant  riches  of  his  grace,  in  his  bounty  towards  us  in  Christ 
Jesus.     {Eph.  i.  3,  4.  ii.  4 — 7.) 

Be  ye  followers  of  God,  as  most  dear  children;  and 
walk  in  love,  as  Christ  also  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  deliv- 
ered himself  for  us,  an  oblation  and  a  sacrifice  to  God,  for 
an  odour  of  sweetness.     {Eph.  v.  1,  2.) 


RETURN  OF  LOVE. 

If  you  love  me,  keep  my  commandments.  Re- 
main in  my  love.  If  you  keep  my  commandments, 
you  will  remain  in  my  love;  as  I  also  have  kept 
my  Father's  commandments,  and  do  remain  in  his 
love.  He  that  hath  my  commandments,  and  keepeth 
them,  he  it  is  that  loveth  me.  And  he  that  loveth 
Tne  shall  be  loved  of  my  Father  ;  and  I  will  love 
him,  and  will  manifest  myself  to  him.  If  any  one 
love  me,  he  will  keep  my  word,  and  my  Father  will 
love  him,  and  ive  will  come  to  him,  and  will  make 
our  abode  with  him :  he  that  loveth  me  not,  keepeth 
not  my  words.     John  xiv.  15,  21 — 24.  xv.  9.  10. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse  on 
the  eve  of  his  passion. 

Dearly  beloved,  every  one  that  loveth,  is  born  of  God, 
and  knoweth  God.  He  that  loveth  not,  knoweth  not  God  : 
for  God  is  charity.  Let  us,  therefore,  love  God,  because 
God  first  loved  us.  Love  God,  and  keep  his  command- 
ments ;  for  this  is  the  charity  of  God,  that  we  keep  his 
commandments  :  and  his  commandments  are  not  heavy. 

My  little  children,  let  us  not  love  in  word,  nor  in  tongue* 
but  in  deed,  and  in  truth.  (John  iv.  7,  8, 19.  v.  2,  3.  iii.  18.) 
He  that  loveth  father  or  mother  more  than  me,  is  not 


RETURN    OF    LOVE.  91 

worthy  of  me;  and  he  that  loveth  son  or  daughter  more 
than  me,  is  not  worthy  of  me.     {Matt.  x.  37.) 

As  the  heart  panteth  after  the  fountains  of  waters,  so 
my  soul  panteth  after  thee,  O  God.  My  soul  hath  thirsted 
after  the  strong  living  God;  when  shall  I  come,  and  ap- 
pear before  the  face  of  God  1  My  tears  have  been  my 
bread  day  and  night,  whilst  it  is  said  to  me  daily :  Where 
is  thy  God  1  These  things  I  remembered,  and  poured  out 
my  soul  in  me :  for  I  shall  go  over  unto  the  place  of  the 
wonderful  tabernacle,  even  to  the  house  of  God.  (Ps.  xli. 
1—5.) 

O  God,  my  God,  to  thee  do  I  watch  at  break  of  day. 
For  thee  my  soul  hath  thirsted;  for  thee  my  flesh,  O  how 
many  ways  !  In  a  desert  land,  and  where  there  is  no 
way,  and  no  water:  so  in  the  sanctuary  have  I  come 
before  thee,  to  see  thy  power  and  thy  glory.  For  thy 
mercy  is  better  than  lives :  thee  my  lips  shall  praise. 
Thus  will  I  bless  thee  all  my  life  long,  and  in  thy  name 
I  will  lift  up  my  hands.  I  have  remembered  thee  upon 
my  bed; I  will  meditate  on  thee  in  the  morning;  because 
thou  has  been  my  helper.  And  I  will  rejoice  under  the 
covert  of  thy  wings.  {Ps.  Ixii.  1 — 8.)  Who  will  grant  me 
that  I  may  know  and  find  him,  and  come  even  to  his 
throne  1     (Job  xxiii.  3.) 

This  I  pray,  that  your  charity  may  more  and  more 
abound  in  knowledge  and  in  all  understanding ;  that  you 
may  approve  the  better  things,  and  may  be  sincere  and 
without  offence  unto  the  day  of  Christ,  filled  with  the  fruit 
of  justice  through  Jesus  Christ,  unto  the  glory  and  praise 
of  God;  (Phil.  i.  9 — 11,)  and  building  yourselves  upon 
your  most  holy  faith,  and  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  keep 
yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,  waiting  for  the  mercy  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  life  everlasting.  (Jude  20,  21.) 


92  CHARITY. 

Peace  be  to  the  brethren,  and  grace  with  all,  who  love 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.  Amen.     {Eph.  vi.  24.) 


CHARITY. 

Remain  in  my  love.     John  xv.  9. 

Words  of  our  Blesaed  Lord  iii  his  discourse  to  his  disciples,  on 
the  eve  of  his  passion. 

Dearlt  beloved,  let  us  love  one  another;  for  charity  is 
of  God.  And  every  one  that  loveth,  is  born  of  God,  and 
knoweth  God.  He  that  loveth  not,  knoweth  not  God:  for 
God  is  charity.  If  we  love  one  another,  God  abideth  in 
us,  and  his  charity  is  perfected  in  us.  In  this  we  know 
that  we  abide  in  Him,  and  He  in  us  ;  because  He  hath  given 
us  of  his  spirit.     (I  Joh?i  iv.  7 — 13.) 

Above  all  things  have  charity,  which  is  the  bond  of 
perfection;  (Col.  in.  14.)  for  the  end  of  the  command- 
ment is  charity  from  a  pure  heart,  and  a  good  conscience, 
and  an  unfeigned  faith.  (1  Tim.  i.  5.)  Parifying  your 
souls  in  the  obedience  of  charity,  with  a  brotherly  love, 
from  a  sincere  heart,  love  one  another  earnestly ;  being 
born  again  not  of  corruptible  seed,  but  incorruptible  by 
the  word  of  God,  who  liveth  and  remaineth  forever.  Have 
a  constant  mutual  charity;  for  charity  covereth  a  multi- 
tude of  sins.  (1  Pet.  i.  22,  23.  iv.  8.)  If  I  speak  with  the 
tongues  of  men,  and  of  angels,  and  have  not  charity,  I  am 
become  as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling  cymbal.  And  if  I 
should  have  prophesy,  and  should  know  all  mysteries,  and 
all  knowledge,  and  if  I  should  have  all  faith,  so  that  I 
could  remove  mountains,  and  have  not  charity,  I  am 
nothing.  And  if  I  should  distribute  all  my  goods  to  feed 
the  poor,  and  if  I  should  deliver  ray  body  to  be  burned, 


THE    NEW    COMMANDMENT.  93 

and  have  not  charity,  it  profiteth  me  nothing.  Charity  is 
patient,  is  kind  ;  charity  envieth  not,  dealeth  not  perversely; 
is  not  puffed  up,  is  not  ambitious,  seeketh  not  her  own,  is 
not  provoked  to  anger,  thinketh  no  evil,  rejoiceth  not  in 
iniquity,  but  rejoiceth  with  the  truth;  beareth  all  things, 
believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things,  endureth  all  things. 
Charity  never  falleth  away ;  whether  prophecies  shall  be 
made  void,  or  tongues  shall  cease,  or  knowledge  shall  be 
destroyed.  We  see  now  through  a  glass  in  a  dark  manner ; 
but  then  face  to  face.  Now  I  know  in  part ;  but  then  I 
shall  know  even  as  I  am  known.  And  now  there  remain, 
faith,  hope,  charity,  these  three:  but  the  greatest  of  these 
is  charity.     (  Cor.  xiii.  11 — 35.) 


THE  NEW  COMMANDMENT. 

Jl  new  commandment  I  give  unto  you :  That 
you  love  one  another  ;  as  1  have  loved  you,  that  you 
also  love  one  another.  By  this  shall  all  men  know 
that  you  are  my  disciples,  if  you  have  love  one  for 
another.  This  I  command  you,  that  you  love  one 
another.     John  xiii.  34,  35.  xv.  17. 

Wcn-ds  of  the  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse  on 
the  eve  of  his  passion. 

A  NEW  commandment  I  write  unto  you,  which  thing  is 
true  both  in  him  and  in  you:  because  the  darkness  is 
passed  and  the  true  light  now  shineth.  He  that  saith  he 
is  in  the  light,  and  hateth  his  brother,  is  in  darkness  even 
until  now.  He  that  loveth  his  brother,  abideth  in  the  light, 
and  there  is  no  scandal  in  him.  But  he  that  hateth  his 
brother,  is  in  darkness,  and  walketh  in  darkness,  and 
knoweth  not  whither  he  goeth :  because  the  darkness  hath 


94  LOVE    OF    OUR    NEIGHBOR. 

blinded  his  eyes.  And  this  is  his  commandment:  That 
we  should  believe  in  the  name  of  his  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
and  love  one  another  as  He  hath  given  commandment 
unto  us.  (1  John  ii.  8 — 11.  iii.  23.)  Dearly  beloved,  let 
us  love  one  another:  for  charity  is  of  God.  And  every 
one  that  loveth,  is  born  of  God,  and  knoweth  God.  He 
that  loveth  not,  knoweth  not  God ;  for  God  is  charity. 

In  this  is  charity :  not  as  though  we  loved  God,  but  be- 
cause he  first  loved  us,  and  sent  his  Son  to  be  a  propitia- 
tion for  our  sins.  My  dearest,  if  God  hath  so  loved  us,  we 
also  ought  to  love  one  another.  If  we  love  one  another, 
God  abideth  in  us,  and  his  charity  is  perfected  in  us.  If 
any  man  say,  I  love  God,  and  hate  his  brother,  he  is  a  liar ; 
for  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother,  whom  he  seeth,  how 
can  he  love  God,  whom  he  seeth  not  1  And  this  com- 
mandment we  have  from  God,  that  he  who  loveth  God, 
love  also  his  brother.  (1  John  iv.  7 — 21.)  In  this  we  know 
that  we  love  the  children  of  God,  when  we  love  God,  and 
keep  his  commandments.     (1  John  iv.  7 — 21,  v.  2.) 

Now  God  himself,  and  our  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  direct  you.  And  may  the  Lord  multiply  you,  and 
make  you  abound  in  charity  towards  one  another,  and 
towards  all  men,  to  confirm  your  hearts  without  blame,  in 
holiness,  before  God  and  pur  Father,  at  the  coming  of  our 
Lord  Jksus  Christ  with  all  his  saints.  Amen.  (1  Thess. 
iii.  11—13.) 


LOVE  OF  OUR  NEIGHBOR. 

One  of  the  Scribes  came  to  Jesus,  mid  ashed  him 
rvhich  was  the  first  commandment  of  all?  Jind 
Jesus  ansivered  him ;  The  first  commandment  of 
all  is:  Hear,   O  Israeli  the  Lord  thy  God  is  one 


LOVE    OF    OUR    NEIGHBOR.  "'  '  95 

God.  Ayid  thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with 
thy  whole  heart,  and  with  thy  whole  soul,  and  with 
thy  whole  mind,  and  with  thy  tvhole  strength.  This 
is  the  Jirst  commandment.  And  the  second  is  like 
to  it:  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself. 
There  is  no  other  commandment  greater  than  these. 
And  the  Scribe  said  to  him  ;  PVell,  master,  thou 
hast  said  in  truth,  that  there  is  one  God,  and  there 
is  no  other  besides  Him;  and  that  He  should  be  loved 
with  the  whole  heart,  and  with  the  whole  understand- 
ing, and  with  the  whole  soul,  and  with  the  whole 
strength  ;  and  that  to  love  one^s  neighbor  as  one's 
self,  is  a  greater  thing  than  all  holocausts  and  sacri- 
fices. And  Jesus  seeing  that  he  had  answered 
wisely,  said  to  him:  Thou  art  not  far  from  the 
kingdom  of  God.     Mark  xii.  28 — 34. 

And  behold  a  certain  lawyer  stood  up,  tempting  Jesus, 
and  saying;  Master,  what  must  I  do  to  possess  eternal 
life]  But  he  said  to  him  ;  What  is  written  in  the  law  1 
how  readest  thou'?  He  answering,  said:  Thou  shalt  love 
the  Lord  thy  God  with  thy  whole  heart,  and  with  thy  whole 
soul,  and  with  all  thy  strength,  and  with  all  thy  mind;  and 
thy  neighbor  as  thyself.  And  he  said  to  him ;  Thou  hast 
answered  right:  this  do,  and  thou  shalt  live.  But  he, 
willing  to  justify  himself,  said  to  Jesus ;  And  who  is  my 
neighbor!  And  Jesus  answering,  said;  A  certain  man 
went  down  from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho,  and  fell  among 
robbers,  who  also  stripped  him,  and  having  wounded  him, 
went  away,  leaving  him  half  dead.  And  it  chanced  that 
a  certain  priest  went  down  the  same  way,  and  seeing  him, 
passed  by.  In  like  manner  also  a  Levite,  when  he  was 
near  the  place  and  saw  him,  passed  by.  But  a  certain 
Samaritan  being  on  his  journey,  came  near  him,  and 
seeing  him,  was  moved  with  compassion.    And  going  up 


96  CHARITY    TO    THE    POOR. 

to  him,  bound  up  his  wounds,  pouring  in  oil  and  wine; 
and  setting  him  upon  his  own  beast,  brought  him  to  an 
inn,  and  took  care  of  him.  And  the  next  day  he  took  out 
two  pence,  and  gave  to  the  host,  and  said :  Take  care  of 
him;  and  whatsoever  thou  shalt  spend  over  and  above,  I 
at  my  return  will  repay  thee.  Which  of  these  three,  in 
thy  opinion,  was  neighbor  to  him  that  fell  among  the  rob- 
bers 1  But  he  said ;  He  that  showed  mercy  to  him.  And 
Jesus  said  to  him ;  Go,  and  do  thou  in  like  manner.  (^Luke 
X.  25—37.) 


CHARITY  TO  THE  POOR. 

Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  to  you  ;  good  mea- 
sure, and  pressed  down,  and  shaken  together,  and 
running  over,  shall  they  give  into  your  bosom.  For 
with  the  same  measure  that  you  shall  measure,  it 
shall  be  measured  to  you  again.  Luke  vi.  38. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

If  one  of  thy  brethren  come  to  poverty,  thou  shalt 
not  harden  thy  heart,  nor  close  thy  hand,  but  shalt  open 
it  to  the  poor  man :  thou  shalt  lend  him  that  which  thou 
perceivest  he  hath  need  of.  Beware,  lest,  perhaps,  a 
wicked  thought  steal  in  upon  thee,  and  thou  say  in  thy 
heart:  The  seventh  year  of  remission  draweth  nigh,  and 
thou  turn  away  thy  eyes  from  thy  poor  brother,  denying 
to  lend  him  that  which  he  asketh,  lest  he  cry  against  thee 
to  the  Lord,  and  it  become  a  sin  unto  thee.  But  thou  shalt 
give  to  him,  neither  shalt  thou  do  any  thing  craftily  in 
relieving  his  necessities;  that  the  Lord  thy  God  may 
bless  thee  at  all  times,  and  in  all  things  to  which  thou 
shalt  put  thy  hand.    There  will  not  be  wanting  poor  in 


CHARITY    TO    THE    POOR.  97 

the  land  of  thy  habitation,  therefore,  1  command  thee  to 
open  thy  hand  to  thy  needy  and  poor  brother,  that  liveth 
in  the  land.     (Deut.  xv.  7 — 11.) 

If  1  have  denied  to  the  poor  what  they  desired,  and 
have  made  the  eyes  of  the  widow  wait;  if  I  have  eaten 
my  morsel  alone,  and  the  fatherless  hath  not  eaten  thereof; 
if  I  have  despised  him  that  was  perishing  for  want  of 
clothing,  and  the  poor  man  that  had  no  covering;  if  his 
sides  have  not  blessed  me,  and  if  he  were  not  warmed 
with  the  fleece  of  my  sheep;  if  I  have  lifted  up  my  hand 
against  the  fatherless,  even  when  I  saw  myself  superior 
in  the  gate ;  let  my  shoulder  fall  from  its  joint,  and  let  my 
arm  with  its  bones  be  broken.     (Job  xxi.  16 — 22,) 

Deal  thy  bread  to  the  hungry,  and  bring  the  needy  and 
the  harborless  into  thy  house ;  when  thou  shalt  see  one 
naked,  cover  him,  and  despise  not  thy  own  flesh.  Then 
shall  thy  light  break  forth  as  the  morning,  and  thy  health 
shall  speedily  arise,  and  thy  justice  shall  go  before  thy 
face ;  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  gather  thee  up. 
Then  shalt  thou  call,  and  the  Lord  shall  hear;  thou  shalt 
cry,  and  He  shall  say :  Here  I  am.     (Isa.  Iviii.  7 — 9.) 

Behold,  this  was  the  iniquity  of  Sodom,  pride,  fulness 
of  bread,  and  abundance,  and  the  idleness  of  her,  and  of 
her  daughters ;  and  they  did  not  put  forth  their  hand  to 
the  needy,  and  to  the  poor.  (Eze.  xvi.  49.)  If  a  brother 
or  sister  be  naked,  and  want  daily  food,  and  one  of  you 
say  to  them  ;  Go  in  peace,  be  you  warmed  and  filled :  yet 
give  them  not  those  things  that  are  necessary  for  the  body» 
what  shall  it  profit?  (James  ii.  15,  16.)  He  that  hath  the 
substance  of  this  world,  and  shall  see  his  brother  in  need, 
and  shall  shut  up  his  bowels  from  him,  how  doth  the 
charity  of  God  abide  in  himl     (1  John  iii.  17.) 

He  that  hath  compassion  on  the  poor,  lendeth  to  the 
Lord,  and  He  will  repay  him.  (Prov.  xix.  17.)     Blessed  is 

9 


98  A    CHEERFUL    GIVER. 

he  that  considereth  the  needy  and  the  poor ;  the  Lord  will 
deliver  him  in  the  evil  day.  The  Lord  will  help  him  on 
his  bed  of  sorrow ;  He  will  turn  all  his  couch  in  his  sick- 
ness.    (Ps.  ex.  1,3.) 

There  was  a  certain  man  in  Cesarea,  named  Cornelius, 
a  centurion  of  the  band,  which  is  called  the  Italian,  a  reli- 
gious man,  and  one  that  feared  God  with  all  his  house, 
who  gave  much  alms  to  the  people,  and  prayed  to  God 
always.  He  saw  in  a  vision  manifestly,  about  the  ninth 
hour  of  the  day,  an  angel  of  God  coming  in  to  him,  and 
saying  to  him;  Cornelius:  and  he  beholding  him,  being 
seized  with  fear,  said:  What  is  it,  Lordi  And  he  said  to 
him  :  Thy  prayers  and  thy  alms  have  ascended  for  a  me- 
morial in  the  sight  of  God.     (Acts  x.  1 — 4.) 


A  CHEERFUL  GIVER. 

Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give.  St.  Matt. 
X.  8. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

Remember  the  word  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  He 
said:  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive. 
Acts  xx.  35. 

St.  Paul  in  his  farewell  address  to  the  faithful  of  Ephesus. 

And  looking  on,  Jesus  saw  the  rich  men  cast  in  their 
gifts  into  the  treasury.  And  he  saw  also  a  certain  poor 
widow  casting  in  two  brass  mites.  And  he  said :  Verily, 
I  say  to  you,  that  this  poor  widow  hath  cast  in  more  than 
they  all ;  for  all  these  have  of  their  abundance  cast  into  the 
offerings  of  God;  but  she  of  her  want  hath  cast  in  all  her 
living  that  she  had.     (St.  Luke  xxi.  1 — 4.) 

Take  the  offering  which  I  have  brought  thee,  and  which 


A   CHEERFUL    GIVER.  9d 

God  hath  given  me,  who  giveth  all  things.  (^Gen.  xxxiii. 
11.)  Now,  this  I  say:  He  who  soweth  sparingl}^  shall 
also  reap  sparingly :  and  he  who  soweth  in  blessings, 
shall  also  reap  of  blessings.  Every  one  as  he  hath  deter- 
termined  in  his  heart,  not  with  sadness,  or  of  necessity; 
for  God  loveth  a  cheerful  giver.  (2  Cor.  viii.  6, 7.)  What- 
ever it  is  given  thy  hand  to  do, do  it  readily.  (Eccl.ix.  10.) 
Do  not  forget  to  do  good,  and  to  impart ;  for  by  such  sacri- 
fices God's  favor  is  obtained.  (Heb.  xiii.  16.)  Showing 
mercy  with  cheerfulness ;  (Rom.  xii.  8,)  for  if  the  will  be 
forward,  it  is  accepted,  according  to  that  which  it  hath, 
not  according  to  that  which  it  hath  not.     (2  Cor.  viii.  12.) 

Say  not  to  him  who  asketh:  Go,  and  come  again;  to- 
morrow I  will  give  to  thee.  When  thou  canst  give  at 
present.  (Frov.  iii.  28.)  When  thou  lookest  upon  the 
needy,  let  thy  abundance  supply  their  wants;  (2  Cor.  viii. 
12,)  communicating  to  the  necessities  of  the  saints;  pur- 
suing hospitality.  (Rom.  xii.  13.)  And  in  doing  good,  fail 
not ;  for  in  due  time  we  shall  reap,  not  failing.  There- 
fore, whilst  we  have  time,  let  us  do  good  to  all  men,  but 
especially  to  those  who  are  of  the  household  of  the  faith. 
(Eph.  iii.  9,  10.) 

Whosoever  shall  give  to  drink  to  one  of  these  little 
ones,  a  cup  of  cold  water  only  in  the  name  of  a  disciple, 
amen,  I  say  to  you,  he  shall  not  lose  his  reward.  Amen, 
I  say  unto  you,  inasmuch  as  you  did  it  to  one  of  the 
least  of  my  brethren,  you  did  it  unto  me.  (Matt.  x.  42^ 
XXV.  40.)  And  may  the  Lord  multiply  you,  and  make 
you  abound  in  charity  towards  one  another,  and  towards 
all  men.  (1  Thess.  iii.  12.)  For  God  is  not  unjust,  that  He 
should  forget  your  work,  and  the  love  which  you  have 
shown  in  his  name,  you  who  have  ministered,  and  do 
minister  to  the  saints.  (Heb.  vi.  10.)  When  thou  shall 
pour  out  thy  soul  to  the  hungry,  and   shalt  satisfy  the 


100  THE    GRACE    OF    GOD. 

afflicted  soul,  then  shall  thy  light  rise  up  in  darkness,  and 
thy  darkness  shall  be  as  the  noonday,  {ha.  xv.  10.) 

And  may  my  God  supply  all  your  want,  according  to 
his  riches,  in  glory  in  Christ  Jesus.  Now  to  God  and  our 
Father,  be  glory,  world  without  end.  Amen.  {Phil.  iv. 
19,  20.) 


THE  GRACE  OF  GOD. 

Without  me  ye  can  do  nothing.     John  xv.  5. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

Of  the  fulness  of  Christ  we  have  all  received,  and  grace 
for  grace.     {John  i.  1 6.) 

Testimony  of  John  the  Baptist  to  Jesus  Christ. 

If  thou  wilt  arise  early  to  God,  and  wilt  beseech  the 
Almighty;  if  thou  wilt  walk  clean  and  upright.  He  will 
presently  awake  unto  thee,  and  will  make  the  dwelling  of 
thy  justice  peaceable  :  in  so  much,  that  if  thy  former  things 
were  small,  thy  latter  things  would  be  multiplied  exceed- 
ingly. Can  the  rush  be  green  without  moisture?  or  a 
sedge-bush  grow  without  water '?  when  it  is  yet  in  flower, 
and  is  not  plucked  up  with  the  hand,  it  withereth  before 
all  herbs.  Even  so  are  the  ways  of  all  that  forget  God. 
The  foolish  man  shall  lean  upon  his  house,  and  it  shall 
not  stand ;  he  shall  prop  it  up,  and  it  shall  not  rise.  He 
seemeth  to  have  moisture  before  the  sun  cometh,  and  at 
his  rising,  his  blossom  shall  shoot  forth.  (Job.  viii.  5 — 16.) 

Every  best  gift,  and  every  perfect  gift,  is  from  above ; 
coming  down  from  the  Father  of  lights,  with  whom  there 
is  no  change,  nor  shadow  of  vicissitude.     (James  i.  17.) 

We  believe  that  by  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
we  shall  be  saved.  (Acts  xv.  2.)  We  exhort  you,  therefore, 


THE    POWER   OF    GRACE.  101 

that  you  receive  not  the  grace  of  God  in  vain ;  (2  Cor.  vi.  1.) 
being  confident  of  this  very  thing,  that  He  who  hath  begun 
a  good  work  in  you,  will  perfect  it  unto  the  day  of  Christ 
Jesus.  {Phil.  i.  6.)  He  is  faithful  who  hath  called  you; 
who  will  also  perform.     (1  Thess.  v.  24.) 

I  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of  his  grace, 
which  is  able  to  build  up,  and  to  give  an  inheritance 
among  all  the  sanctified.  {Ads  xx.  32.)  Grace  to  you,  and 
peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  I  give  thanks  to  my  God  always  for  you, for  the 
grace  of  God  that  is  given  you  in  Christ  Jesus  ;  that  in 
all  things  you  are  made  rich  in  Him,  in  all  utterance,  and 
in  all  knowledge,  as  the  testimony  of  Christ  was  confirmed 
in  you,  so  that  nothing  is  wanting  to  you  in  any  grace, 
waiting  for  the  manifestation  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Who  also  will  confirm  you  unto  the  end  without  crime,  in 
the  day  of  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  (1  Cor. 
i.  3—8.) 


THE  POWER  OF  GRACE. 

I  thrice  besought  the  Lord,  and  He  said  to  me: 
My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee  ;  for  power  is  made 
perfect  in  infirmity.     2  Cor.  xii.  8,  9. 

There  are  diversities  of  graces,  but  the  same  Spirit; 
and  there  are  diversities  of  operations,  but  the  same  God, 
who  worketh  all  in  all.  To  one,  indeed,  by  the  Spirit  is 
given  the  word  of  wisdom,  and  to  another,  the  word  of 
knowledge,  according  to  the  same  Spirit;  to  another,  faith 
in  the  same  Spirit ;  to  another,  the  grace  of  healing  in 
one  Spirit;  to  another,  the  working  of  miracles ;  to  an- 
other, prophecy;  to  another,  the  discerning  of  spirits;  to 

9* 


102  THE    POWER    or    GRACE. 

another,  divers  kinds  of  tongues  ;  to  another,  interpretation 
of  speeches.  But  all  these  things  one  and  the  same  Spirit 
v/orketh,  dividing  to  every  one  according  as  he  will;  for 
as  the  body  is  one,  and  hath  many  members,  and  all  the 
members  of  the  body,  whereas  they  are  many,  yet  are  one 
body;  so  also  is  Christ.     (1  Cor.  xii.  4 — 12.) 

Now,  if  any  of  you  want  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God, 
who  giveth  to  all  men  abundantly,  and  upbraideth  not ; 
and  it  shall  be  given  him.  But  let  him  ask  in  faith,  nothing 
wavering.  For  he  that  wavereth  is  like  a  wave  of  the 
sea,  which  is  moved  and  carried  about  by  the  wind. 
Therefore,  let  not  that  man  think  that  he  shall  receive  any 
thing  of  the  Lord.     {James  i.  5 — 7.) 

It  is  God  who  worketh  in  us  both  to  will  and  to  accom- 
plish, according  to  his  good  will.  (Phil.  ii.  13.)  And  yet 
one  saith  I  am  of  Paul;  and  another,  I  am  of  Apollo  1 
What  then,  is  Apollo,  and  what  is  PauH  The  ministers 
of  Him  whom  you  have  believed;  and  to  every  one  as  the 
Lord  hath  given.  I  have  planted,  Apollo  watered, but  God 
gave  the  increase.  Therefore,  neither  he  that  planteth  is 
any  thing,  nor  he  that  Avatereth ;  but  God  that  giveth  the 
increase.  Now  he  that  planteth,  and  he  that  watereth  are 
one  ;  and  every  man  shall  receive  his  own  reward  ac- 
cording to  his  own  labor.     (1  Cor.  iii.  4 — 8.) 

By  the  grace  of  God  I  am  what  I  am ;  nor  hath  this 
grace  in  me  been  void,  for  I  have  labored  more  abun- 
dantly than  all  of  them — yet  not  I,  but  the  grace  of  God 
with  me.     (1  Cor.  10.) 

God  is  able  to  make  all  grace  abound  in  you ;  that 
being  enriched  in  all  things,  you  may  abound  unto  all 
bountifulness,  which  causeth  through  us  thanksgiving  to 
God,  having  affection  for  you,  because  of  the  eminent 
grace  of  God  in  you.  Thanks  be  to  God  for  his  unspeak- 
able gift!     (2  0>r.  ix.  8,  U,  1.5.) 


SANCTIFYING    GRACE.  103 

Having,  therefore,  a  great  high  priest  that  hath  passed 
into  the  heavens,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  let  us  hold  fast 
our  confession  ;  for  we  have  not  a  high  priest,  who  cannot 
have  compassion  on  our  infirmities,  but  one  tempted  in 
all  things  like  as  we  are,  without  sin.  Let  us  go,  there- 
fore, with  confidence  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may 
obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  in  seasonable  aid.  {Heb.  iv. 
14—16.) 


SANCTIFYING  GRACE. 

Those  whom  Thou  gavest  me  have  I  kept,  and 
none  of  them  is  lost,  but  the  son  of  perdition  ;  that 
the  scripture  may  be  fulfilled,  sanctifying  them  in 
truth.  For  them  do  I  sanctify  myself,  that  they 
also  may  be  sanctified  in  truth.  John  xvii.  12, 17, 19. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  prayer  for  his  disciples 
on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

Blessed   be   the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 

Christ,  who  hath  blessed  us  with  all  spiritual  blessings  in 

heavenly  things ;  to  the  praise  of  the  glory  of  his  grace, 

by  which  He  hath  made  us  acceptable  through  his  beloved 

Son.  {Eph.  i.  3 — 6.)     If  by  the  offence  of  Adam  (who  is 

a  figure  of  Him  that  was  to  come)  many  have  died,  much 

more  hath  the  grace  of  God,  and  the  gift  in  the  grace  of 

one  man  Jesus  Christ,  abounded  unto  many.     For,  if  by 

one  man's  offence  death  reigned ;  much  more   they  who 

receive  abundance  of  grace,  and  of  the  gift,  and  of  justice, 

shall  reign  in  life  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     (Rom. 
V.  15.  17.) 

I  will  pour  out  upon  the  house  of  David,  and  upon  the 
inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  the  spirit  of  grace,  and  of  pray- 


104  LOVE    OF    OUR    ENEMIES. 

ers ;  and  they  shall  look  upon  Me,  whom  they  have  pierced. 
(^Zach.  xii.  9.) 

Even  when  we  were  dead  in  sin,  God  hath  quickened 
■Qs  together  in  Christ ;  that  He  might  show  in  the  ages  to 
come  the  abundant  riches  of  His  grace,  in  goodness  upon 
us  in  Christ  Jesus.  For  by  grace  you  are  saved  through 
faith,  and  this  not  of  yourselves  :  for  it  is  the  gift  of  God. 
(Eph.  ii.  5,  6.) 

We  ourselves  also  were  sometime  unwise,  incredulous, 
erring,  slaves  to  divers  desires  and  pleasures,  living  in 
jnalice  and  envy,  hateful,  and  hating  one  another.  But 
when  the  goodness  and  kindness  of  our  Saviour  God  ap- 
peared, not  by  the  works  of  justice,  which  we  have  done, 
but  according  to  his  mercy  He  saved  us,  by  the  laver  of 
regeneration,  and  the  renovation  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom 
he  hath  poured  forth  upon  us  abundantly,  through  Jesus 
Christ  our  Saviour;  that  being  justified  by  his  grace,  we 
may  be  heirs  according  to  the  hope  of  life  everlasting. 
(Tit.  iii.  3 — 7.)  Grace  be  to  you,  and  peace  from  God  our 
Father,  and  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  give  thanks  to 
my  God  always  for  you,  for  the  Grace  of  God  that  is  given 
you  in  Jesus  Christ,  that  in  all  things  you  are  made  rich 
in  Him,  in  every  word  and  in  all  knowledge,  so  that 
nothing  is  wanting  to  you  in  any  grace.  (1  Cor.  i.  3—7.) 


LOVE  OF  OUR  ENEMIES. 

You  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said:  Thou 
shalt  love  thy  neighbor,  and  hate  thy  enemy.  But  I 
say  to  you:  Love  your  enemies  ;  do  good  to  them, 
that  hate  you,  and  pray  for  them  that  persecute  and 
calumniate  you ;  that  you  m,ay  be  the  children  of 
your  Father^  who  is  in  heaven :  who  maketh  his  sun 


LOVE    OF    OUR    ENEMIES.  105 

to  rise  upon  the  good  and  the  bad,  and  raineth  upon 
the  just  and  the  unjust.  For  if  you  love  those  that 
love  you,  what  reward  shall  you  have  ?  do  not  even 
the  publicans  the  same  ?     St.  Matt.  v.  43 — 46. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  and  Saviour,  in  his  Sermon 
on  the  Mount. 

Jesus  said  to  the  multitude  :  I  say  to  you  that  hear,  love 
your  enemies,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  bless  them  that 
curse  you,  and  pray  for  them  that  calumniate  you.  If  you 
love  them  that  love  you,  what  thanks  have  youl  for  sin- 
ners also  love  those  that  love  them.  And  if  ye  do  good  to 
them  that  do  good  to  you,  what  thanks  have  you  1  for 
sinners  also  do  this.     (Luke  vi.  27,  28,  32,  33.) 

If  thy  enemy  be  hungry,  give  him  to  eat ;  if  he  thirst, 
give  him  to  drink ;  for  doing  this,  thou  shalt  heap  coals 
of  fire  on  his  head.  Be  not  overcome  by  evil,  but  over- 
come evil  with  good.  (i?om.  xii.  20,  21.)  Love  without 
dissimulation,  hating  that  which  is  evil,  cleaving  to  that 
which  is  good.  Loving  one  another  with  brotherly  love ; 
in  honor  preventing  one  another.  (Rom.  xii.  9,  10.)  Render 
to  no  man  evil  for  evil :  provide  things  good,  not  only  in 
the  things  of  God,  but  also  in  the  sight  of  all  men.  (Rom. 
xii.  17.)  Judge  not,  brethren,  one  against  another,  that 
you  may  not  be  judged.  Behold  the  judge  standeth  before 
the  door.     (James  v.  9.) 

And  may  the  Lord  multiply  you,  and  make  you  abound 
in  charity  towards  one  another,  and  towards  all  men :  as 
we  do  also  towards  you.  To  confirm  your  hearts  without 
blame,  in  holiness  before  God  and  our  Father,  at  the  coming 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  all  his  saints.  Amen. 
(1  Thess.  3.) 


106  FRATERNAL    ADMONITION. 


FRATERNAL  ADMONITION. 

If  thy  brother  offend,  go,  and  reprove  him  be- 
tween thee  and  him  alone.  If  he  shall  hear  thee, 
thou  shall  gain  thy  brother.     Matt,  xviii.  15. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples, 

Buethren,  if  a  man  be  overtaken  in  any  fault,  you  who 
are  spiritual,  instruct  such  a  one  in  the  spirit  of  meekness, 
considering  thyself,  lest  thou  also  be  tempted.  (Gal.  vi.  1.) 
Do  not  esteem  him  as  an  enemy,  but  admonish  him  as  a 
brother.  (2  Thess.  iii.  15.)  Am  I  then,  becom^'  your 
enemy,  in  telling  you  the  truth  1     (Gal.  iv.  16.) 

Jesus  said ;  Take  heed  to  yourselves  ;  if  thy  brother 
trespass  against  thee,  rebuke  him  ;  and  if  he  repent,  for- 
give him.  (Luke  xvii.  3.)  If  I  say  the  truth,  you  believe 
me  not.  But  if  I  say  the  truth  to  you,  why  do  you  not 
believe  mel  He  that  is  of  God  heareth  the  word  of  God. 
Therefore,  you  hear  them  not,  because  ypu  are  not  of  God. 
(John  viii.  45 — 47.) 

A  corrupt  man  loveth  not  one  that  reproveth  him ;  nor 
will  he  go  to  the  wise.  He  that  teacheth  a  scorner,'doeth 
an  injury  to  himself;  and  he  that  rebuketh  a  wicked  man, 
getteth  himself  a  blot.  Rebuke  not  a  scorner,  lest  he  hate 
thee.  Rebuke  a  wise  man,  and  he  will  love  thee.  Give 
an  occasion  to  a  wise  man,  and  wisdom  shall  be  added  to 
him.  Teach  a  just  man,  and  he  shall  make  haste 
to  receive  it.  (Prov.  xv.  12.  ix.  7 — 9.)  Exhort  one 
another  every  day,  whilst  to-day  is  named ;  lest  any  one 
of  you  be  hardened  by  the  deceitfulness  of  sin.  (Heb. 
iii.  13.) 

I  charge  thee  before  God  and  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall 


RASH   JUDGMENT.  107 

judge  the  living  and  the  dead,  by  his  coming,  and  his 
kingdom :  preach  the  word,  be  instant  in  season,  out  of 
season,  reprove,  entreat,  rebuke  with  all  patience  and 
doctrine.     (2  Tim.  iv.  1,  2.) 


RASH  JUDGMENT. 

Judge  not,  that  you  may  not  be  judged.  For 
with  what  judgment  you  have  judged,  you  shall  be 
judged ;  and  with  what  measure  you  have  mea- 
sured, it  shall  be  measured  to  you  again.  *^nd  why 
seest  thou  a  mote  in  thy  brother's  eye,  and  seest  not 
a  beam  in  thy  own  eye  ?  Or  how  say  est  thou  to 
thy  brother :  Let  me  cast  the  mote  out  of  thy  eye  ; 
and  behold,  a  beam  is  in  thy  own  eye?  Thou  hypo- 
crite, cast  out  first  the  beam  out  of  thy  own  eye, 
and  then  shall  thou  see  to  cast  out  the  mote  out  of 
thy  brother^s  eye.     St.  Matt.  vii.  1 — 5. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Judge  not  and  you  shall  not  be  judged;  condemn  not, 
and  you  shall  not  be  condemned;  forgive,  and  you  shall 
be  forgiven.  (Lukevi.  37.)  Thou  art  inexcusable,  O  man, 
whosoever  thou  art  that  judgest.  For  wherein  thou 
judgest  another,  thou  condemnest  thyself:  for  thou  doest 
the  same  things  which  thou  judgest.  For  we  know  that 
the  judgment  of  God  is  according  to  truth  against  them 
that  do  such  things.  And  thinkest  thou  this,  O  man,  that 
judgest  them  who  do  such  things,  and  doest  the  same,  that 
thou  shall  escape  the  judgment  of  God?  (Rom.  ii.  1 — 3.) 
There  is  one  lawgiver,  and  judge,  who  is  able  to  destroy 
and  to  deliver.  But  who  art  thou,  who  judgest  thy  neigb» 
borl     (James  iv.  12,  13.) 


108  CHRIST    WHO    TAUGHT    US    TO    PRAY. 

Detract  not  one  another,  my  brethren.  He  that  de- 
tracteth  his  brother,  or  he  that  judgeth  his  brother,  de- 
tracteth  the  law,  and  judgeth  the  law.  {James  iv.  11,  13.) 
Who  art  thou  that  judgest  another  man's  servant?  To 
his  own  master  he  standeth  or  falleth.  {Rom.  xiv.  4.) 
Why  dost  thou  judge  thy  brother!  Or  why  dost  thou 
despise  thy  brother  1  For  we  shall  all  stand  before  the 
judgment  seat  of  Christ.     {Rom.  xiv.  10.) 

And  finally,  be  ye  all  of  one  mind,  having  compassion 
one  of  another,  loving  brotherhood,  merciful,  modest, 
humble ;  not  rendering  evil  for  evil,  nor  railing  for  railing, 
but  on  the  contrary,  blessing  :  for  unto  this  are  you  called, 
that  by  inheritance  you  may  possess  a  blessing.  (I  Pet. 
iii.  8,  9.) 


CHRIST  WHO  TAUGHT  US  TO  PRAY. 

AsTx,  and  it  shall  be  given  you  /  seek,  and  you  \ 
shall  find ;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  to  you. 
For  every  one  that  asketh,  receiveth;  and  he  that 
seeketh,  findeth;  and  to  him  that  knocketh,  it  shall 
be  opened.  And  when  you  pray,  you  shall  not  be  \ 
as  the  hypocrites,  who  love  to  pray  standing  in  the 
synagognes  and  at  the  corners  of  the  streets,  that 
they  may  be  seen  by  men :  Amen  I  say  to  you,  they 
have  received  their  reward.  But  thou,  when  thou 
shall  pray,  enter  into  thy  chamber,  and  having  shut 
the  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  in  secret ;  and  thy  Fa- 
ther, who  seeth  in  secret,  will  reward  thee.  And 
when  you  are  praying,  speak  not  much,  as  the  hea- 
thens do  ;  for  they  think  that  they  are  heard  for 
their  much  speaking.     Be  not  you,  therefore,  like 


CHRIST  WHO  TAUGHT  US  TO  PRAY.      109 

!  them.  For  your  Father  knoweth  what  you  stand  in 
i  need  of,  before  you  ask  him.   St.  Matt.  vii.  14,  15. 
vi.  5,  8. 

Words  of  our  bleased  Lord,  in  the  sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Havixg  a  great  high-priest  who  hath  penetrated  the 
heavens,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  let  us  go  with  confidence 
to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we  may  obtain  mercy,  and 
find  grace  in  seasonable  aid.     (Heb.  iv.  14 — 16.) 

I  have  cried  to  God,  and  the  Lord  will  save  me.  Evening, 
and  morning,  and  at  noon,  I  will  speak  and  declare,  and 
He  will  hear  my  voice.  (Ps.  liv.  17,  18.)  In  the  morning 
sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  let  not  thy  hand  cease : 
for  thou  knowest  not  which  may  rather  spring  up,  this  or 
that ;  and  if  both  together,  it  shall  be  the  better.  (Eccl.  xii. 
6.)  We  ought  always  to  pray,  and  not  to  faint.  (Lu/ce 
xviii.  1.) 

I  will  that  men  pray  in  every  place,  lifting  up  pure 
hands,  continuing  in  supplication  and  prayer  night  and 
day:  (1  Tim.  xi.S.v. 5.)  praying  at  all  times  in  the  spirit, 
and  in  the  same  watching  with  all  instance  and  supplica- 
tion for  all  the  saints,  (Eph.vi.  18.)  through  Jesus  Christ, 
through  whom  we  ofier  the  sacrifice  of  praise  always  to 
God,  that  is  to  say,  the  fruit  of  lips  confessing  to  his  name. 
(Heb.  xiii.  15.)  Let  a  man  pray  in  the  spirit;  let  him  hold 
his  peace,  and  speak  to  himself  and  to  God.  (1  Cor.  xiv. 
28.)  Now  Anna  spoke  in  her  heart,  and  only  her  lips 
moved,  but  her  voice  was  not  heard  at  all.    (1  Sam.  i.  13.) 

By  prayer  and  supplication  with  thanksgiving  let  your 

petitions  be  made  known  to  God.     And  the  peace  of  God, 

which  surpasseth  all  understanding,  keep  your  hearts  and 

minds  in  Christ  Jesus.     (Phil.  iv.  6,  7.) 

10 


110  WATCHFULNESS    AND    PRAYER. 


WATCHFULNESS  AND  PRAYER. 

Take  ye  heed  ;  watch  and  pray  ;  for  ye  know  noi 
when  the  time  is.  Even  as  a  man  who,  going  into 
afar  country,  left  his  house,  and  gave  authority  to 
his  servants  over  every  work,  and  commanded  the 
porter  to  watch.  Watch  ye  therefore  {for  you  know 
not  when  the  lord  of  the  house  cometh:  at  even,  or 
at  midnight,  or  at  the  cock-crowing,  or  in  the  morn- 
ing,) lest  coming  on  a  sudden,  he  find  you  sleeping. 
And  what  I  say  to  you,  1  say  to  all:  Watch. 
St.  Mark  xiii.  33—37. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

You  yourselves  know  perfectly,  that  the  day  of  the  Lord 
shall  so  come  as  a  thief  in  the  night.  For  when  they  shall 
say,  '  Peace  and  security  !'  then  shall  sudden  destruction 
come  upon  them.  But  you,  brethren,  are  not  in  darkness, 
that  that  day  should  overtake  you  as  a  thief.  For  all  you 
are  the  children  of  the  light  and  children  of  the  day, — not 
of  the  night,  nor  of  darkness.  Therefore,  let  us  not  sleep, 
as  others  do;  but  let  us  watch,  and  be  sober,  .  .  .  having 
on  the  breast-plate  of  faith  and  charity,  and  for  a  helmet 
the  hope  of  salvation.     (1  Thess.  v.  2 — 8.) 

Rise  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise  from  the  dead,  anIP 
Christ  will  enlighten  thee.  See  therefore,  brethren,  how 
you  walk  circumspectly:  not  as  unwise,  but  as  wise; 
redeeming  the  time,  for  the  days  are  evil.  Wherfore  be- 
come not  unwise,  but  understanding  what  is  the  will  of 
God;  (Eph.  v.  14 — 17.)  knowing  the  time  that  it  is  now 
the  hour  for  us  to  rise  from  sleep :  for  now  our  salvation 
is  nearer  than  when  we  believed.  The  night  is  passed, 
and  the  day  is  at  hand,  let  us,  therefore,  cast  off  the  works 


TEMPTATION.  1 1 1 

of  darkness,  and  put  on  the  armour  of  light.  Let  us  walk 
honestly  as  in  the  day;  not  in  rioting  and  drunkenness, 
not  in  chambering  and  impurities,  not  in  contention  and 
envy.  But  put  ye  on  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  make 
not  provision  for  the  flesh  in  its  concupiscences.  (Rom. 
xiii.  11—14.) 

Watch  ye,  therefore,  and  pray  always,  that  ye  may  be 
accounted  worthy  to  escape  all  these  things  that  shall  come 
to  pass,  and  to  stand  before  the  son  of  man.  (Luke  xxi. 
36.)  Be  you  like  unto  men  that  wait  for  their  Lord ;  that 
when  He  cometh  and  knocketh,  they  may  open  unto  him 
immediately.  Blessed  are  those  servants,  whom  the  Lord, 
when  he  cometh,  shall  find  watching.  And  if  He  shall 
come  in  the  second  watch,  or  come  in  the  third  watch,  and 
find  them  so,  blessed  are  those  servants.  Be  ye,  therefore, 
ready  also;  for  the  Son  of  man  cometh  at  an  hour  when 
ye  think  not.     (Luke  xii.  36 — 40.) 

And  now  I  commend  you  to  God,  and  to  the  word  of  his 
grace,  who  is  able  to  build  up,  and  to  give  an  inheritance 
among  all  the  sanctified.     (Acts.  xx.  32.) 


TEMPTATION. 

This  kind  can  go  out  by  nothing  but  by  prayer 
and  fasting.     St.  Mark  9 — 28. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

The  flesh  lusteth  against  the  Spirit,  and  the  Spirit 
against  the  flesh;  for  these  are  contrary  one  to  another: 
so  that  you  do  not  the  things  that  you  would.  (Gal.  v.  4.) 
I  find  a  law,  that  when  I  have  a  will  to  do  good,  evil  is 
present  with  me.  For  I  am  delighted  with  the  law  of  God, 
according  to  the  inward  man  ;  but  I  see  another  law  in  my 


112  TEMPTATION. 

members,  fighting  against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  capti- 
vating me  in  the  law  of  sin,  that  is  in  my  members.  Un- 
happy man  that  I  am,  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body 
of  this  death  1  the  grace  of  God  by  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 
(Rom.  vi.  21—25.) 

And  lest  the  greatness  of  the  revelations  should  puif  me 
up,  there  was  given  me  a  sting  of  my  flesh,  an  angel  of 
Satan,  to  buffet  me.  For  which  thing  I  thrice  besought  the 
Lord,  that  it  might  depart  from  me.  And  he  said  to  me  : 
My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee ;  for  power  is  made  perfect 
in  infirmity.  Gladly,  therefore,  will  1  glory  in  ray  infirmi- 
ties, that  the  power  of  Christ  may  dwell  in  me.  (2  Cor. 
xii.  1—9.) 

Let  him  that  thinketh  himself  to  stand,  take  heed  lest  he 
fall.  God  is  faithful  who  will  not  suffer  you  to  be  tempted 
above  that  which  you  are  able  ;  but  will  make  also  with 
temptation  issue,  that  you  may  be  able  to  bear  it.  (I  Cor. 
X.  12,  13.)  The  Lord  knoweth  how  to  deliver  the  godly  out 
of  temptation.  (2  Pet.  II.)  Blessed  is  the  man  that 
endureth  temptation ;  for  when  he  hath  been  proved,  he 
shall  receive  the  crown  of  life,  which  God  hath  promised  to 
them  that  love  him.  (James  i.  12.)  I  give  thanks  to  Him  who 
hath  strengthened  me,  to  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord;  (1  Tim. 
i.  12.)  for  He  is  faithful,  who  will  strengthen  and  keep  you 
from  evil.     (2  Thess.  iii.  3.) 

O  Lord,  be  Thou  my  stay,  and  my  protector ;  for  though 
I  should  walk  in  the  midst  of  the  shadow  of  death,  I  fear 
no  evils,  for  Thou  art  with  me.  Thy  rod  and  thy  staff",  they 
have  comforted  me.  (Ps.  xxii.  4.)  In  all  things  we  over- 
come, because  of  Him  that  hath  loved  us.  (Rom.  viii.  37.) 
Behold,  the  Lord  God  is  my  helper;  who  is  he  that  shall 
prevail  against  me  ?  (Isa.  1.  9.)  If  God  be  for  me,  who  can 
be  against  me?  (i?om.  viii.  31.)  And  they  shall  know, 
that  I  have  loved  thee ;  and  because  thou  hast  kept  the 


LEAD    US    NOT    INTO    TEMPTATION.  113 

word  of  my  patience,  I  will  also  keep  thee  from  the  hour 
of  temptation.     (Apoc.  iii.  9,  10.) 

May  the  God  of  peace  crush  Satan  speedily  under  your 
feet.  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you. 
(1  Cor.  xvi.  20.) 


LEAD  US  NOT  INTO  TEMPTATION. 

Watch  and  pray,  that  ye  enter  not  into  tempta- 
tion. The  spirit.,  indeed,  is  ivilling,  but  thejlesh  is 
weak.     St.  Matt.  xxvi.  41. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  the  garden  of 

Geihsemani. 

Let  no  man,  when  he  is  tempted,  say  that  he  is  tempted 
of  God;  for  God  is  not  a  tempter  of  evils:  He  tempteth 
no  man.  But  every  man  is  tempted,  being  drawn  away 
by  his  own  concupiscence,  and  allured.  Then  when  con- 
cupiscence hath  conceived,  it  bringeth  forth  sin;  but  sin, 
when  it  is  completed,  begetteth  death.  Do  not  err,  there- 
fore, my  dearest  brethren. 

To  him  that  warreth  a  good  warfare ;  (1  Tim.  i.  18,)  to 
him  that  overcometh  is  given  an  incorruptible  crown  ;  let 
us,  therefore,  so  run,  not  as  at  an  uncertainty ;  let  us  so 
fight,  not  as  one  beating  the  air.     (1  Cor.  ix.  25 — 27.) 

Put  you  on  the  armour  of  God,  that  you  may  be  able  to 
stand  against  the  deceits  of  the  devil.  For  our  wrestling 
is  not  against  flesh  and  blood,  but  against  principalities, 
and  powers ;  against  the  rulers  of  the  world  of  this  dark- 
ness ;  against  the  spirits  of  wickedness  in  the  high  places. 
Wherefore,  take  unto  you  the  armour  of  God,  that  you  may 
be  able  to  resist  in  the  evil  day,  and  to  stand  in  all  things 
perfect.    Stand,  therefore,  having   your  loins  girt   about 

10* 


114  LEAD    US    NOT    INTO    TEMPTATION. 

with  truth,  and  having  on  the  breastplate  of  justice,  and 
your  feet  shod  with  the  preparation  of  the  gospel  of  peace : 
in  all  things  taking  the  shield  of  faith,  wherewith  you  may 
be  able  to  extinguish  all  the  fiery  darts  of  the  most  wicked 
one.  And  take  unto  you  the  helmet  of  salvation  :  and  the 
sword  of  the  spirit  (which  is  the  word  of  God.)  By  all 
prayer  and  supplication,  praying  at  all  times  in  the  spirit; 
and  in  the  same  watching,  with  all  instance  and  supplica- 
tion.    {Eph.  vi.  11 — 18.) 

Be  sober,  and  watch  in  prayers,  (1  Pet.  iv.  7,)  that  you 
be  not  circumvented  by  Satan ;  for  you  are  not  ignorant 
of  his  devices;  (2  Cor.  ii.  11,)  because  your  adversary, 
as  a  roaring  lion,  goeth  about,  seeking  whom  he  may 
devour;  resist  ye,  strong  in  faith.     (1  Pet.  v.  8,  9.) 

Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  when  tempted  by  the  Devil. 

Resist  the  devil,  and  he  will  fly  from  you.  {James  iv.  7.) 
Give  not  place  to  the  Evil  One,  {Eph.  iv.  27,)  lest,  by 
some  means,  the  tempter  should  tempt  you,  and  our  labor 
be  in  vain.     (1  Thess.  iii.  5.) 

Lord,  save  us ;  we  perish.     {St.  Matt.  viii.  25.) 

The  cry  of  the  disciples  to   their  Lord  and  Master,  in  the 

tempest  at  sea. 

And  may  the  God  of  peace  crush  Satan  speedily  under 
your  feet.  If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against  us  1 
{Rom.  viii.  31.)  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be 
with  you.    (1  Cor.  i.  4.) 


% 


THE    POOR   IN    SPIRIT.  115 


THE  EIGHT  BEATITUDES.— THE  POOR  IN  SPIRIT 

Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.     Matt.  v.  3. 
The  first  of  the  eight  Beatitudes,  pronounced  by  our  Blessed 
Redeemer,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Thus  saith  the  High  and  the  Exalted  One,  that  inha- 
biteth  eternity ;  I  dwell  in  the  high  and  holy  place  with 
him  that  is  of  a  contrite  and  humble  spirit;  to  revive  the 
spirit  of  the  humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the  con- 
trite,    {ha.  Ivii.  15.) 

Thus  saith  the  Lord:  Heaven  is  my  throne,  and  the 
earth  my  footstool.  What  is  the  house  that  you  will 
build  to  me,  and  what  is  the  place  of  my  place  1  All  these 
things  hath  my  hand  made,  and  they  are  made,  saith  the 
Lord.  But  to  w^hom  shall  I  have  respect?  Even  to  him 
that  is  poor  and  little,  and  of  a  contrite  spirit,  and  that 
trembleth  at  my  words.     {Isa.  Ixvi.  1,  2.) 

God  will  not  cast  away  the  simple.  (Jo6  viii.20.)  Better 
is  the  poor  man  walking  in  his  simplicity,  than  the  rich  in 
crooked  ways.  {Prov.  xxviii.  6.)     Better  is  a  little  to  the 
just,  than  the  great  riches  of  the  wicked.     (Ps.  xxxvi.  1 6.) 
Let  not  the  humble  be  turned  away  with  confusion ;  the 
poor   and  needy  shall  praise   thy  name.     Arise,  O  God, 
judge  thy  own  cause;   remember  thy  reproaches  with 
which  the  foolish  man  hath  reproached  thee  all  the  day. 
(Ps.  Ixxiii.  21,  22.)     Surely  man  passeth  as  a  vain  sha- 
dow; and  he  disquieteth  himself  in  vain.     He  storeth  up 
and  he  knoweth  not  for  whom  he  shall  gather  these  things. 
And  now  what  is  my  hope  1     Is  it  not  the  Lord  1  and  ray 
substance  is  with  Thee,     (Ps.  Ixxiii.  21,  22.  xxxviii.  7,  8.) 
God   shall  deliver  the  poor  from  the  mighty,  and  the 


116        BLESSED  ARE  THE  MOURNERS. 

needy  that  had  no  helper.  He  shall  spare  the  poor  and 
needy,  and  he  shall  save  the  souls  of  the  poor,  and  their 
name  shall  be  honorable  in  his  sight.     (Ps.  Ixxi.  12 — 14.) 

You  know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that 
being  rich,  he  became  poor  for  your  sakes  ;  that  through 
his  poverty  you  might  be  rich.  (2  Cor,  viii.  9.)  Hearken, 
my  dearest  brethren  :  hath  not  God  chosen  the  poor  of  this 
world,  rich  in  faith,  and  heirs  which  the  kingdom  of  God 
hath  promised  to  them  that  love  him  ?     (James  ii.  5.) 

And  Jesus  said ;  Blessed  are  ye,  ye  poor,  for  yours  is 
the  kingdom  of  God.  You  shalt  be  blessed,  because  they 
have  not  wherewith  to  make  you  recompense  ;  for  recom- 
pense shall  be  made  you  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just. 
(Luke  vi.  20.   xiv.  14.) 

I  know,  my  God,  that  thou  provest  hearts,  and  lovest  J 
simplicity;  wherefore,  I  also  in  the  simplicity  of  my  heart, 
have  joyfully  offered  all  these  things.  (1  Par.  xxix.  17.) 
The  Lord  giveth  wisdom,  and  he  will  protect  them  that 
walk  in  simplicity;  keeping  the  paths  of  justice,  and 
guarding  the  ways  of  the  saints.  (Prov.  ii.  3 — 5.) 


BLESSED  ARE  THE  MOURNERS. 

Blessed  are  they  that  mourn,  for  they  shall  be 
comforted.     Matt.  v.  5. 

The  second  of  the  Beatitudes,  pronounced  by  our  Blessed 
Redeemer,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

As  the  sufferings  of  Christ  abound  in  us,  so  also  by 
Christ  doth  our  comfort  abound;  knowing,  that  as  you 
are  partakers  of  the  sufferings,  so  also  shall  you  be  of  the 
consolations.  (Cor.  i.  .%  7.)  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is 
upon  me.     He  hath  sent  me  to  preach  to  the  meek,  to  heal 


BLESSED    ARE    THE    MOURNERS.  117 

the  contrite  of  heart ;  to  proclaim  the  acceptable  )'ear  of 
the  Lord,  to  comfort  all  that  mourn.  To  appoint  to  the 
mourners  in  Sion  ;  to  give  them  a  crown  in  place  of  ashes, 
the  oil  of  gladness  instead  of  mourning,  and  a  garment 
of  praise  instead  of  the  spirit  of  grief.     {Isa.  Ixi.  1 — 3.) 

Praise  ye  the  Lord ;  to  our  God  be  joyful  and  comely 
praise.  Who  healeth  the  broken  of  heart,  and  bindeth  up 
their  bruises.  (Ps.  cxlvi.  43.)  For  thus  saith  the  Lord; 
You  shall  be  carried  at  the  breast,  and  shall  be  dandled 
upon  the  knee.  As  one  whom  the  mother  caresseth,  so 
will  I  comfort  you,  and  ye  shall  be  comforted,  {ha.  Ixvi. 
12,  13.) 

Although  I  made  you  sorrowful,  I  do  not  repent;  and 
if  I  did  repent,  seeing  that  (although  but  for  a  time)  I  did 
make  you  sorrowful,  now  I  am  glad ;  not  because  you 
were  made  sorrowful  unto  penance.  For  you  were  made 
sorrowful  according  to  God,  that  you  might  suffer  damage 
by  us  in  nothing.  For  the  sorrow  that  is  according  to 
God  worketh  penance  steadfast  unto  salvation ;  but  the 
sorrow  of  the  world  worketh  death.  For  behold,  this 
selfsame  thing  that  you  were  made  sorrowful  according 
to  God,  how  great  carefulness  it  worketh  in  you.  (1  Cor, 
vii.  8— 11.) 

Draw  nigh  to  God,  and  he  will  draw  nigh  to  you. 
Cleanse  your  hands,  ye  sinners,  and  purify  pour  hearts, 
ye  double  minded.  Be  afflicted,  and  mourn, and  weep;  let 
your  laughter  be  turned  into  mourning,  and  your  joy  into 
sorrow.  Be  humbled  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  He  will 
exalt  you.     {James  iv.  8 — 10.) 

A  sacrifice  to  God  is  an  afflicted  spirit;  a  contrite  and 

humble   heart,  O    God,  thou    wilt   not   despise.     To    my 

hearing  thou  shalt  give  joy  and  gladness;  and  the  bones 

that  have  been  humbled  shall  rejoice.     {Ps.  1. 10,  11.) 

Blessed  be   the   God   and   Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 


118  BLESSED    ARE    THE    MEEK. 

Christ,  the  Father  of  Mercies,  and  the  God  of  all  conso- 
lation, who  comforteth  us  in  all  our  tribulations.  (2  Cor. 
i.  3,  4.) 

Amen,  amen,  I  say  to  you,  that  you  shall  lament  and 
weep,  but  the  world  shall  rejoice:  and  you  shall  be 
made  sorrowful,  but  your  sorrow  shall  be  turned  into  joy. 
A  woman,  when  she  is  in  labor,  hath  sorrow,  because  her 
hour  is  come ;  but  when  she  hath  brought  forth  the  child, 
she  remembereth  no  more  the  anguish,  for  joy  that  a  man 
is  born  into  the  world.  So  also  you  now,  indeed,  have 
sorrow,  but  I  will  see  you  again,  and  your  heart  shall  re- 
joice ;  and  your  joy  no  man  shall  take  from  you.  (John 
xvi.  20—22.) 


BLESSED  ARE  THE  MEEK. 

Blessed  are  the  meek,  for  they  shall  possess  the 

Land.     Matt.  v.  4. 

The  third  of  the  Beatitudes  pronounced  by  our  Blessed 
Redeemer  in  his  Sermon  on  tfie  Mount, 

Envy  not  the  man  who  prospereth  in  his  way  ;  the  man 
who  doeth  unjust  things  .  .  .  For  evil  doers  shall  be  cut 
off,  but  they  that  wait  upon  the  Lord  shall  inherit  the  land. 
Yet  a  little  while,  and  the  wicked  shall  not  be ;  and  thou  I 
shalt  seek  his  place,  and  shalt  find  it  not.  But  the  meek 
shall  inherit  the  land,  and  shall  delight  in  abundance  of 
peace.     (Fs.  xxxvi.  6 — 11.) 

Great  is  our  Lord,  and  great  is  his  power;  and  of  his 
wisdom  there  is  no  number.  The  Lord  lifteth  up  the 
meek,  and  bringeth  the  wicked  down,  even  to  the  ground 
(^Fs.  cxlvi.  5,  6.) 

The  Lord  is  sweet  and  righteous ;  therefore  he  will  give 


HUNGER   AND    THIRST    AFTER   JUSTICE.  119 

a  law  to  sinners  in  the  way.  He  will  guide  the  mild  in 
judgment :  He  will  teach  the  meek  his  ways.  All  the  ways 
of  the  Lord  are  mercy  and  truth  to  them  that  seek  after 
his  covenant  and  his  testimonies.  (Ps.  xxiv.  8 — 10.) 
The  Lord  is  well  pleased  with  his  people ;  and  He  will 
exalt  the  meek  unto  salvation.  The  saints  shall  rejoice  in 
glory.     {Psalm  clix.  4,  5.) 

The  hidden  man  of  the  heart  in  the  incorruptibility  of  a 
quiet  and  a  meek  spirit,  is  rich  in  the  sight  of  God.  (1  Pet 
3,4.) 

I  therefore  beseech  you,  brethren,  put  on  as  the  elect  of 
God,  holy,  beloved,  the  bonds  of  mercy,  benignity,  humility, 
meekness;  {Col.  iii.  12.)  walking  worthy  of  the  vocation 
in  which  you  are  called.  {Eph.  iv.  1.)  May  the  name  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  be  glorified  in  you,  and  you  in  Him, 
according  to  the  grace  of  our  God,  and  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.     (2  TAm.  i.  11,  12.) 


H 


HUNGER  AND  THIRST  AFTER  JUSTICE. 

Blessed  are  they  that  hunger  and  thirst  after 

justice,  for  they  shall  he  filled.     Matt.  v.  6. 

The  fourth  of  the  Beatitudes  pronounced  by  our  Blessed 
Redeemer  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Theiiefore,  thus  saith  the  Lord  God:  Behold,  my  ser- 
vants shall  eat,  and  you  shall  be  hungry ;  behold,  my  ser- 
vants shall  drink,  and  you  shall  be  thirsty.    {Isa.  Ixv.  13.) 

Great  is  the  Lord,  and  greatly  to  be  praised:  of  his 
greatness  there  is  no  end.  They  shall  publish  the  memory 
of  the  abundance  of  thy  sweetness;  and  shall  rejoice  in 
thy  justice.  The  Lord  is  gracious  and  merciful,  patient 
and  plentious  in  mercy.    The  Lord  is  sweet  to  all ;  and 


120         HUNGER    AND    THIRST    AFTER   JUSTICE. 

his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works.  The  eyes  of 
all  hope  in  Thee,  O  Lord;  and  Thou  givest  them  meat  in 
due  season.     (Ps.  cxliv.  7 — 15.) 

Give  glory  to  the  Lord,  for  He  is  good,  for  His  mercy 
endureth  forever.  Let  them  say  so  that  have  been  redeemed 
by  the  Lord;  they  wandered  in  a  wilderness,  in  a  place 
without  water;  they  found  not  the  way  of  a  city  for  their 
habitation.  They  were  hungry  and  thirsty;  their  soul 
fainted  in  thera.  And  they  cried  to  the  Lord  in  their  tribu- 
lation, and  He  delivered  them  out  of  their  distresses.  For 
He  hath  satisfied  the  empty  soul,  and  hath  filled  the 
hungry  soul  with  good  things.     (Ps.  cvi.  1 — 9.) 

The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  just,  and  his  ears 
unto  their  prayers.  The  rich  have  wanted,  and  have  suf- 
fered hunger ;  but  they  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  not  be 
deprived  of  any  good.  O  taste  and  see  that  the  Lord  is 
sweet  I  blessed  is  the  man  that  hopeth  in  Him.  (Pa.  xxxiii. 
9,  11,  16.) 

I  have  seen  the  wicked  highly  exalted,  and  lifted  up  like 
the  cedars  of  Libanus.  And  I  passed  by,  and  lo,  he  was 
not:  and  I  sought  him,  and  his  place  wa3  not  found.  For 
the  Lord  loveth  justice,  and  will  not  forsake  his  saints ; 
they  shall  be  preserved  for  ever  and  ever.  The  unjust 
shall  be  punished,  and  the  seed  of  the  wicked  shall  perish. 
But  the  just  shall  inherit  the  land,  and  shall  dwell  therein 
for  evermore.  They  shall  be  inebriated  with  the  plenty  of 
thy  house;  and  thou  shalt  make  them  drink  of  the  torrent 
of  thy  pleasure.  But  the  salvation  of  the  just  is  from  the 
Lord;  He  is  their  protector  in  the  time  of  trouble.  And  the 
Lord  will  help  them  and  deliver  them ;  and  He  will  rescue 
them  from  the  wicked,  and  save  them,  because  they  have 
hoped  in  Him.     (Ps.  xxxvi.  35 — 40.) 


THE    MERCIFUL.  121 


THE  MERCIFUL, 

Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain 

mercy.     Matt.  v.  7. 

Tke  fifth  of  the  Beatitudes  pronounced  by  our  Blessed  Lord 
in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Be  ye  merciful,  as  your  heavenly  Father  is  mer- 
ciful.    St.  Luke.  vi.  36. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Saviour  to  his  disciples. 

Put  ye  on,  therefore,  as  the  elect  of  God,  holy,  and  be- 
loved, the  bowels  of  mercy,  benignity,  humility,  modesty, 
patience.  Bearing  with  one  another,  and  forgiving  one 
another,  if  any  have  a  complaint  against  another:  even 
as  the  Lord  hath  forgiven  you,  so  do  you  also.  (Col.  v.  12, 
13.)  My  son,  forget  not  my  law,  and  let  thy  heart  keep  my 
commandments.  For  they  shall  add  to  thee  length  of  days, 
and  years  of  life  and  peace.  Let  not  mercy  and  truth  leave 
thee  ;  put  them  about  thy  neck,  and  write  them  on  the 
tablet  of  thy  heart.  And  thou  shalt  find  grace,  and  good 
understanding  before  God  and  man.     (Prov.  iii.  1 — 4.) 

Is  this  such  a  fast  as  I  have  chosen  ;  for  a  man  to  afliict 
his  soul  for  a  day?  is  this  it,  to  wind  his  head  about  like 
a  circle,  and  to  spread  sackcloth  and  ashes  1  wilt  thou  call 
this  a  fast,  and  a  day  acceptable  to  the  Lordl  Is  not  this 
rather  the  fast  that  I  have  chosen  1  loose  the  bands  of 
wickedness  ;  undo  the  bundles  that  oppress ;  let  them  that 
are  broken,  go  free  ;  and  break  asunder  every  burden. 
Deal  thy  bread  to  the  hungry,  and  bring  the  needy  and 
the  harborless  into  thy  house ;  when  thou  shalt  see 
one  naked,  cover  him  and  despise  not  thy  own  flesh.  Then 
shall  thy  light  break  forth  as  the  morning,  and  thy  health 

11 


I 


122 


THE    MERCIFUL. 


shall  speedily  arise ;  and  thy  justice  shall  go  before  thy 
face ;  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  gather  thee  up.  (Is. 
Iviii.  5—8.) 

And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  Zacharias,  saying: 
Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts,  saying :  Judge  ye  true  judg- 
ment, and  show  ye  mercy  and  compassion  every  man  to 
his  brother.  (Zach.  vii.  8,  9.)  I  will  show  thee,  O  man, 
what  is  good,  and  what  the  Lord  requireth  of  thee  :  Verily 
to  do  judgment,  and  to  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  solicitous 
with  thy  God.  (Mich.  vi.  8.)  Let  not  mercy  and  truth  leave 
thee;  put  them  about  thy  neck,  and  write  them  in  the 
tables  of  thy  heart,  and  thou  shalt  find  grace,  and  good 
understanding  before  God  and  men.  (Ps.  iii.  3,  4.) 

So  speak  ye,  and  so  do,  as  being  to  be  judged  by  the  law 
of  liberty.  For  judgment  without  mercy,  to  him  that  hath 
not  done  mercy :  and  mercy  exalteth  itself  above  judgment. 
The  wisdom  which  is  from  above,  first  indeed  is  chaste, 
then  peaceable,  modest,  easy  to  be  persuaded,  consenting 
to  the  good,  full  of  mercy,  and  good  fruits,  without  judging, 
without  dissimulation.     (James,  ii.  12,  13.  iii.  17.) 

Be  ye,  therefore,  merciful,  as  your  Father  also  is  mer- 
ciful :  and  your  reward  shall  be  great,  and  you  shall  be  the 
sons  of  the  Most  High  :  for  He  is  kind  to  the  unthankful, 
and  to  the  evil.     (Luke  vi.  36,  37.) 

Grace,  mercy,  and  peace  be  with  you,  from  God  the 
Father,  and  from  Christ  Jesus  the  Son  of  the  Father,  in 
truth  and  charity.     (2  John.  i.  3.) 


MERCY    AND    NOT    SACRIFICE.  123 


MERCY  AND  NOT  SACRIFICE. 

If  you  knew  what  this  meaneth :    '  /  will  have 
mercy  and  not  sacrifice  /'     St.  Matt.  xii.  7. 
Words  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  Pharisees. 

Bt  mercy  and  truth  iniquity  is  redeemed ;  and  this  is 
more  acceptable  to  God  than  to  offer  sacrifices.  {Prov. 
xvi.  6.) 

He  that  is  disposed  to  mercy  shall  be  blessed.  Do  no 
violence  to  the  poor,  because  he  is  poor ;  and  do  not 
oppress  the  needy  in  the  gate,  because  the  Lord  will  judge 
his  cause,  and  will  afflict  them  that  have  afflicted  his  soul. 
(Prov.  xxii.  9,  22,  23.)  Judgment  without  mercy  to  him 
that  hath  not  done  mercy;  for  mercy  exalteth  itself  above 
judgment;  (James  ii.  10.,)  and  to  love  one's  neighbor  as 
one's  self,  is  a  greater  thing  than  all  holocausts  and  sacri- 
fices.    (Mark  xii.  33.) 

What  shall  I  ofier  to  the  Lord  that  is  worthy  1  where- 
with shall  I  kneel  before  the  high  God  1  shall  I  oflfer  holo- 
causts unto  him,  and  calves  of  a  year  old  1  May  the  Lord 
be  appeased  with  thousands  of  rams,  or  with  many  thou- 
sands of  fat  he-goats ']  shall  I  give  my  first  born  for  my 
wickedness,  the  fruit  of  my  body  for  the  sin  of  my  souH 
I  will  show  thee,  O  man,  what  is  good,  and  what  the  Lord 
requireth  of  thee;  Verily,  to  do  judgment,  and  to  love 
mercy,  and  to  walk  solicitous  with  thy  God.  (Mich.  vi. 
6—8.) 

Hear  the  word  of  the  Lord ;  To  what  purpose  do  you 
oflfer  me  the  multitude  of  your  victims,  saith  the  Lord?  I 
am  full,  I  desire  not  holocausts  of  rams,  and  fat  of  fat- 
lings,  and  blood  of  calves,  and  lambs,  and  buck-goats. 


124  MERCY    AND    NOT    SACRIFICE. 

When  you  came  to  appear  before  me,  who  required  these 
things  at  your  hands,  that  you  should  walk  in  my  courts! 
Offer  sacrifice  no  more  in  vain;  incense  is  an  abomina- 
tion to  me.  The  new  moons,  and  the  sabbaths,  and  other 
festivals,  I  will  not  abide ;  your  assemblies  are  wicked. 
My  soul  hateth  your  new  moons,  and  your  solemnities  : 
they  are  become  troublesome  to  me,  I  am  weary  of  bear- 
ing them.  And  when  you  stretch  forth  your  hands,  I  will 
turn  away  my  eyes  from  you;  and  when  you  multiply 
prayer,  I  will  not  hear ;  for  your  hands  are  full  of  blood. 
Wash  yourselves,  be  clean,  take  away  the  evil  of  your 
devices  from  my  eyes ;  cease  to  do  perversely,  learn  to 
do  well ;  seek  judgment,  relieve  the  oppressed,  judge  for 
the  fatherless,  defend  the  widow.     (Isa.  i.  10 — 17.) 

Let  not  mercy  and  truth  leave  thee ;  put  them  about  thy 
neck,  and  write  them  in  the  tables  of  thy  heart,  and  thou 
Shalt  find  grace,  and  good  understanding  before  God  and 
men.  (Prov.  in.  3,  4.)  Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts; 
Judge  ye  true  judgment,  and  show  ye  mercy  and  com- 
passion every  man  to  his  brother;  and  oppress  not  the 
widow  and  the  fatherless,  and  the  stranger,  and  the  poor; 
and  let  not  a  man  devise  evil  in  his  heart  against  his 
brother.     (Zach.  vii.  9,  10.) 

Be  ye  merciful,  as  your  Father  also  is  merciful,  and 
your  reward  shall  be  great,  and  you  shall  be  the  sons  of 
the  Highest;  for  he  is  kind  to  the  unthankful  and  to  the 
evil.  (Luke  vi.  36,  37.)  Put  ye  on,  therefore,  as  the  elect 
of  God,  holy,  and  beloved,  the  bowels  of  mercy,  benignity, 
humility,  modesty,  patience ;  bearing  with  one  another, 
and  forgiving  one  another,  if  any  have  a  complaint 
against  another.  Even  as  the  Lord  hath  forgiven  you,  so 
do  you  also.  (Col.  iii.  12,  13.)  And  may  the  Lord  direct 
your  heart,  in  the  charity  of  God,  and  in  the  patience  of 
Christ     (2  T/iess.  iii.  5.) 


THE    CLEAN    IN    HEART.  125 


THE  CLEAN  IN  HEART. 

Blessed  are  the  dean  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see 
God.     Matt.  v.  8. 

The  sixth  of  the  Beatitudes,  pronounced  by  our  Blessed 
Redeemer,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Who  shall  ascend  into  the  mountain  of  the  Lord ;  or 
who  shall  stand  in  his  holy  place  1  The  innocent  in 
hands,  and  the  clean  in  heart.     (Ps.  xxiii.  3,  4.) 

If  the  blood  of  goats  and  of  oxen,  and  the  ashes  of  a 
heifer  being  sprinkled,  sanctify  such  as  are  defiled,  to  the 
cleansing  of  the  flesh ;  how  much  more  shall  the  blood  of 
Christ,  who,  through  the  Holy  Ghost,  oflfered  himself  with- 
out spot  to  God,  cleanse  our  conscience  from  dead  works, 
to  serve  the  living  God]  (^Heb.  ix.  13,  14.)  If  any  man, 
therefore,  shall  be  so  cleansed,  he  shall  be  a  vessel  unto 
honor,  sanctified  and  profitable  to  the  Lord,  prepared  unto 
every  good  work.  Pursue  justice,  faith,  charity,  and 
peace  with  them  that  call  on  the  Lord  out  of  a  pure 
heart.     (2  Tim.  ii.  21,  22.) 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Samuel;  I  judge  not  according  to 
the  look  of  man ;  for  man  seeth  those  things  that  appear, 
but  the  Lord  beholdeth  the  heart.  (1  Sam.  xvi.  7.)  Know 
the  God  of  thy  father,  and  serve  Him  with  a  perfect  heart, 
and  a  willing  mind;  for  the  Lord  searcheth  all  hearts, and 
understaudeth  all  the  thoughts  of  minds.  (1  Paral.  xxviii. 
9.)  Now,  therefore,  fear  the  Lord,  and  serve  Him  with  a 
perfect  and  most  sincere  heart.     (Jos.  xxiv.  14.) 

My  son,  hearken  to  my  words,  and  incline  thy  ear  to 
my  sayings.  Let  them  not  depart  from  thy  eyes ;  keep 
them  in  the  midst  of  thy  heart ;  for  they  are  life  to  those 

11* 


126  BLESSED    ARE    THE    PEACEMAKERS. 

thai  find  them,  and  health  to  all  flesh.  With  all  watch- 
fulness keep  thy  heart,  because  out  of  it  are  the  issues  of 
life.     (Ps.  XV.  20—23.) 

The  things  which  proceed  out  of  the  mouth,  come  forth 
from  the  heart;  and  those  things  defile  a  man.  For  out 
of  the  heart  proceed  evil  thoughts,  murders,  adulteries, 
fornications,  thefts,  false  testimonies,  blasphemies.  These 
are  the  things  that  defile  a  man.  (Matt.xv.  18 — 20.)  Doth 
a  fountain  send  forth  through  the  same  passage  sweet  and 
bitter  water?  Can  the  fig  tree,  my  brethren,  bear  grapes, 
or  the  vine,  figs'?  So  neither  can  the  salt  water  yield 
sweet.     (James  iii.  11,  12.) 

All  things  are  clean  to  the  clean,  but  to  the  defiled,  and 
the  unbelievers,  nothing  is  clean;  but  both  their  mind  and 
their  conscience  are  defiled.     (Tit.  i.  15.) 

May  the  God  of  peace  himself  sanctify  you  in  all 
things  ;  that  your  whole  spirit,  and  soul,  and  body  be  pre- 
served blameless  for  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you.  Amen. 
(1  Thess.  V.  23,  28.) 


BLESSED  ARE  THE  PEACEMAKERS. 

Blessed  are  the  peacemakers^  for  they  shall  be 

called  the  children  of  God.     Matt.  v.  9. 

The  seventh  of  the  Beatitudes  pronounced  by  our  Blessed  Lord, 
in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Truth  is  sprung  out  of  the  earth,  and  Justice  hath 
looked  down  from  heaven.  Mercy  and  Truth  have  met  each 
other;  Justice  and  Peace  have  kissed.  (Ps.  Ixxxiii.  10.) 

If  it  be  possible,  as  much  as  is  in  you,  have  peace  with 
all  men.    Follow  after  the  things  that  are  of  peace:  and 


BLESSED    ARE    THE    PEACEMAKERS.  127 

keep  the  things  that  are  of  edification  one  towards  another. 
(Rom.  xii.  18,  19.) 

Where  contention  is,  there  is  every  evil  work.  But  the 
wisdom  that  is  from  above,  first  indeed  is  chaste,  then 
peaceable,  modest,  easy  to  be  persuaded,  consenting  to  the 
good,  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits,  without  judging,  with- 
out dissimulation.  And  the  fruit  of  justice  is  sown  in 
peace,  to  them  that  make  peace.  (James,  iii.  16 — 18.)  The 
fruit  of  the  spirit  is,  charity,  joy,  peace,  patience,  benig- 
nity, goodness,  long  animity,  mildness,  faith,  modesty,  con- 
tinency,  chastity.     (Gal.  v.  22,  23.) 

For  the  rest,  brethren,  rejoice;  be  perfect;  lake  exhor- 
tation; be  of  one  mind;  have  peace  :  and  the  God  of  peace 
and  of  love  will  be  with  you.  (2  Cor.  xiii.  11.)  Cast  out 
the  scofier,  and  contention  shall  go  out  with  him;  and 
quarrels  and  reproaches  shall  cease.  Hatred  stirreth  up 
-strifes,  but  charity  covereth  all  sins.  (Fro.  x.  10,  12.) 
Contend  not  in  words,  for  it  is  to  no  profit,  but  to  the  sub- 
version of  the  hearers.  (2  Tim.  ii.  14.)  And  finally,  be  ye 
all  of  one  mind,  having  compassion  one  for  another,  loving 
brotherhood,  merciful,  modest,  humble  ;  not  rendering  evil 
for  evil,  nor  railing  for  railing,  but,  on  the  contrary,  bles- 
sing :  for  unto  this  you  are  called,  that  by  inheritance  you 
may  possess  a  blessing.  For  he  that  will  love  life  and 
see  good  days,  let  him  refrain  his  tongue  from  evil,  and 
his  lips  that  they  speak  no  guile.  Let  him  decline  from 
evil,  and  do  good  :  let  him  seek  after  peace,  and  pursue  it, 
(1  Pet.  iii.  8—11.) 

Now  the  God  of  peace,  who  brought  again  from  the  dead 
the  great  pastor  of  the  sheep,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the 
blood  of  the  everlasting  testament,  make  you  perfect  in 
every  good  work,  that  you  may  do  his  will ;  working  in 
you  that  which  is  well-pleasing  in  his  sight,  through  Jesus 


128 


THE    PEACE    OF    GOD. 


Christ ;  to  whom  is  glory  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen.  {Hth. 
xiii.  30,  21.) 


THE  PEACE  OF  GOD. 

Peace  1  leave  you  /  my  peace  I  give  you :  not  as 
the  world  giveth,  do  I  give  it  unto  you.  These 
things  have  1  spoken  to  you,  that  in  me  you  may 
have  peace.     John  xiv.  27.  xvi.  33. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse 
on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

You  were  at  that  time  without  Christ,  but  now  in  Jesus 
Christ,  you  who,  some  time,  were  afar  off,  are  made  near 
by  the  blood  of  Christ.  For  He  is  our  peace  .  .  .  And  com- 
ing, he  preached  peace  to  you,  who  were  afar  off,  and  peace 
to  them  who  were  near  at  hand.  (Eph.  ii.  12 — 17.)  Making 
peace  through  the  blood  of  his  cross,  both  as  to  the  things 
that  are  on  earth,  and  the  things  that  are  in  heaven.  ( Col. 
i.  20.)  i 

Therefore  being  justified  by  faith,  let  us  have  peace 
with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  By  whom  also 
we  have  access,  through  faith,  into  this  grace  wherein  we 
stand,  and  glory  in  the  hope  of  the  glory  of  the  sons  of 
God.  And  not  only  so,  bat  we  glory  also  in  tribulations, 
knowing  that  tribulation  worketh  patience ;  and  patience 
trial;  and  trial  hope  ;  and  hope  confoundeth  not:  because 
the  charity  of  God  is  poured  out  into  our  hearts,  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  who  is  given  to  us.     (Rom.  v.  1 — 5.) 

If  thou  shalt  say;  It  is  well;  thy  servant  shall  have 
peace.  (1  Kings  xx.  7.)  Thou  wilt  keep  peace;  peace, 
because  we  have  hoped  in  Thee.  O  Lord,  thou  wilt  give 
us  peace  !     (Isa.  xxvi.  12.) 


NO  PEACE  FOR  THE  WICKE©         129 

There  is  much  peace  to  those  who  have  loved  thy  law. 
(^Ps.  cxviii.  165.)  Seek  peace  and  pursue  it;  (Fs.  xxxiii. 
14.)  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace  shall  be  with  you. 
(2  Cf/r.  xiii.  1 1.) 

Now  the  Lord  of  peace  himself  give  you  everlasting 
peace  in  every  place.  The  Lord  be  with  you  all.  (2  Thess. 
iii,  16.)  And  the  peace  of  God,  which  surpasseth  all 
understanding,  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  Christ  Jesus. 
{Phil.  iv.  7.) 

Let  the  peace  of  Christ  rejoice  in  your  hearts  ;  (Col.  iii. 
15.)  and  may  the  God  of  peace  himself  sanctify  you  in 
all  things ,  that  your  whole  spirit,  and  soul,  and  body  be 
preserved  blameless  for  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.     (1  Thess.  v.  23.) 


NO  PEACE  FOR  THE  WICKED. 

And  when  Jesus  drew  near,  seeing  the  city  of 
Jerv.sahm,  He  wept  over  it,  saying  :  '  Jf  thou  also 
hadst  known,  and  that  in  this  thy  day,  the  things 
that  are  for  thy  peace :  but  now  they  are  hidden 
from  thy  eyes.''     St.  Luke  xix,  41,  42. 

I,  EVE?f  I  have  spoken,  and  called:  Come  ye  near  unto 
me,  and  hear  this.  I  have  not  spoken  in  secret;  from  the 
beginning,  ere  it  was  done,  I  was  there.  .  .  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  thy  redeemer,  the  holy  one  of  Israel :  I  am  the  Lord 
thy  God,  that  teach  thee  profitable  thuiEc^,  that  govern  thee 
m  the  way  that  thou  walkest.  O  that  thou  hadst  heark- 
ened to  my  commandments  !  thy  peace  had  been  as  a 
river,  and  thy  justice  as  the  waves  of  the  sea.  (Isa.  xlviii. 
15—18.) 

The  wicked  are  like  the  raging  sea,  which  cannot  rest, 


130 


PLrSECUTION    FOR    CHRIST  S    SAKE. 


and  the  waves  thereof  cast  up  dirt  and  mire.  There  is  nO| 
peace  for  the  wicked,  saith  the  Lord  God.  (Isa.  Ivii- 
20,21.) 

God  hath  given  to  a  man  that  is  good  in  his  sight  wis- 
dom, and  knowledge,  and  joy;  but  to  the  sinner  he  hath 
given  vexation,  and  superfluous  care.  (Eccl.  ii.  26.)  Evil 
men  have  no  hope   of  things  to  come :  the  lamp  of  the 
wicked  shall  be  put  out.     (Pro.  xiii.  9.) 

Alas,  alas,  alas,  O  Lord  God !  hast  Thou  then  deluded 
this  people,  saying;  You  shall  have  peace:  and  behold  a 
sword  reacheth  even  unto  the  soul.  We  have  heard  a  voice 
of  terror,  there  is  fear  and  no  peace.  Thy  men  of  peace 
have  deceived  thee,  and  have  prevailed  against  thee ;  they 
have  plunged  thy  feet  in  the  mire,  and  in  a  slippery  place, 
and  then  have  departed  from  Thee.  Why  hast  Thou  strud 
us,  so  that  there  is  no  healing  for  us  1  We  have  looked  for 
peace,  and  there  is  no  good;  for  the  time  of  healing,  and 
behold  trouble.  (Jer.  iv.  10.  xxx.  5.  xxxviii.  22.  xiv.  19) 
I  said :  These  men,  always  err  in  heart ;  they  have  not 
known  my  ways ;  so  I  swore  in  my  wrath  that  they  shall 
not  enter  into  my  rest.     (Ps.  xciv.  10,  1,1.) 


PERSECUTION  FOR  CHRIST'S  SAKE. 


Blessed  are  they  that  suffer  persecution  for  justicel 
sake,  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven.    Blessed 
are  you  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and  persecute^ 
you,  and  shall  say  all  manner  of  evil  against  you  i 
falsely,  for  my  sake;  rejoice,  and  be  exceeding  glad, 
because  your  reward  is  very  great  in  heaven:  for  ,i 


i 


PERSECUTION   FOR    CHRISt's    SAKE.  131 

SO  they  persecuted  the  prophets,  that  were  before  you. 

St.  Matt.  v.  10—12. 

The  eighth  of  the  Beatitudes  pronounced  by  our  Blessed  Lord^ 
in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

AxD  when  Jeremias  had  made  an  end  of  speaking  all 
that  the  Lord  had  commanded  him,  the  priests,  and  the 
prophets,  and  all  the  people, laid  hold  on  him,  saying:  Let 
him  be  put  to  death,  why  hath  he  prophecied  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  1  And  the  priests  and  the  prophets  spoke  to  the 
princes,  and  to  all  the  people,  saying:  The  judgment  of 
death  is  for  this  man,  because  he  hath  prophesied  against 
this  city,  as  you  have  heard  with  your  ears.  Then  Jeremias 
spoke  to  all  the  princes,  and  to  all  the  people,  saying :  The 
Lord  sent  me  to  prophecy  concerning  this  house,  and 
concerning  this  city  all  the  words  that  you  have  heard. 
Now  therefore  amend  your  ways,  and  your  doings,  and 
hearken  to  the  voice  of  the  Lord  your  God ;  and  the  Lord 
will  repent  him  of  the  evil  that  He  hath  spoken  against 
you.  Bat  as  for  me,  behold,  I  am  in  your  hands  :  do  with 
me  what  is  good  and  right  in  your  eyes.  But  know  ye,  and 
understand,  that  if  you  put  me  to  death,  you  will  shed  inno- 
cent blood  against  your  ownselves,  and  against  this  city, 
and  the  inhabitant^  thereof.  For  in  truth  the  Lord  sent 
me  to  you,  to  speak  all  these  words  in  your  hearing.  Then 
the  princes,  and  all  the  people  said  to  the  priests,  and  to 
the  prophets :  There  is  no  judgment  of  death  for  this  man, 
for  he  hath  spoken  to  us  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  our  God. 
{Jer.  xxvi.  8 — 16.) 

O  God,  why  hast  Thou  cast  us  off?  why  is  thy  wrath 
enkindled  against  the  sheep  of  thy  pasture  1  Remember 
thy  congregation,  which  Thou  hast  possessed  from  the 
beginning ;  the  sceptre  of  thine  inheritance  which  Thou 
hast  redeemed;  mount  Sion  in  which  Thou  hast  dwelt. 


132  CHRIST,    THE    JOY    OF    CONFESSORS. 


Lift  up  thy  hand  against  their  pride  ;  see  what  things  the 
enemy  hath  done  wickedly  in  thy  sanctuary,  and  the  boasts 
of  them  that  hate  Thee,  made  in  the  midst  of  thy  solemnity. 
As  with  axes  in  a  wood  of  trees,  they  have  cut  down  the 
gates  thereof;  with  an  axe  and  hatchet  they  have  brought 
it  down.  They  have  set  fire  to  thy  sanctuary ;  they  have  i 
defiled  the  dwelling  place  of  thy  name  on  the  earth.  They 
said  in  their  heart,  the  whole  kindred  of  them  together: 
Let  us  abolish  all  the  festival  days  of  God  from  the  land. 
No  signs  have  we  seen,  there  is  now  no  prophet ;  and  He 
will  know  us  no  more. 

How  long,  O  God,  shall  the  enemy  reproach  1  is  the 
adversary  to  provoke  thy  name  forever  1  why  dost  Thou 
turn  away  thy  hand  1  and  thy  right  hand  out  of  the  midst 
of  thy  bosom  forever  ]  but  God  is  our  king  before  ages; 
He  hath  wrought  salvation  in  the  midst  of  the  earth.  Re- 
member this ;  the  enemy  hath  reproached  the  Lord,  and 
a  foolish  people  hath  provoked  thy  name.  Deliver  not  up 
to  brute  beasts  the  souls  that  confess  to  Thee ;  and  forget 
not  to  the  end  the  souls  of  thy  poor.  My  lips  shall  greatly 
rejoice,  when  I  shall  sing  to  Thee,  and  my  soul  which 
Thou  hast  redeemed.  Yea,  and  my  tongue  shall  meditate 
on  thy  justice  all  the  day,  when  they  shall  be  confounded 
and  put  to  shame  that  seek  evils  to  me.  Forget  not  the 
voices  of  thy  enemies ;  the  pride  of  them  that  hate  Thee 
ascendeth  continually.     (Ps.  Ixxiii.  1 — 23.) 

Bless  them  that  persecute  you ;  bless,  and  curse  not. 
(^Rom.  xii.  14.)  We  are  become  fools  for  Christ's  sake : 
we  are  reviled,  and  we  bless ;  we  are  persecuted,  and  we 
suffer  it ;  we  are  blasphemed,  and  we  entreat  [call  down 
blessings  on  our  blasphemers.] 


i 


CHRIST,  THE    JOY    OF    CONFESSORS.  133 


CHRIST,  THE  JOY  OF  CONFESSORS. 

Blessed  shall  you  be  ivhen  men  shall  hate  you^ 
and  when  they  shall  separate  you,  and  shall  re- 
proach you,  and  cast  out  your  name  as  evil,  for  the 
Son  of  man's  sake.  Be  glad  in  that  day,  and  re- 
joice ;  for  behold,  your  reward  is  great  in  heaven. 
For  according  to  these  things  did  their  fathers  to 
the  prophets.  The  disciple  is  not  above  his  master, 
nor  the  servant  above  his  lord.  It  is  enough  for 
the  disciple  that  he  be  as  his  master,  and  the  ser- 
vant as  his  lord.  If  they  have  called  the  m,aster  of 
the  house  Beelzebub,  how  much  more  them  of  his 
household  ?  If  they  have  persecuted  me,  they  will 
persecute  you,  Luke  vi.  22,  23.  Matt.  x.  24, 25. 
John  xv.  20. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  on  occasion  of  his  sending  his 
apostles  upon  their  Mission. 

To  you  it  is  given  for  Christ,  not  only  to  believe  in  Him, 
but  also  to  suffer  for  his  sake.  {Phil.  i.  29.)  Thou  art  my 
servant ;  I  have  chosen  thee,  and  have  not  cast  thee  away. 
Fear  not,  for  I  am  with  thee ;  turn  not  aside,  for  I  am  thy 
God.  1  have  strengthened  thee,  and  have  helped  thee ; 
and  the  right  hand  of  my  Just  One  hath  upheld  thee.  Be- 
hold, all  that  fight  against  thee  shall  be  confounded  and 
ashamed ;  they  shall  be  as  nothing,  and  the  men  shall 
perish  that  strive  against  thee.  Thou  shall  seek  them, 
and  shalt  not  find  the  men  that  resist  thee ;  they  shall  be 
as  nothing,  and  as  a  thing  consumed  the  men  that  war 
against  thee.  For  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  who  take  thee 
by  the  hand,  and  say  to  thee :  Fear  not,  I  have  helped 
^thee.    Fear  not  thou  worm  of  Jacob,  you  that  are  dead  of 

Vi 


134  CHRIST,  THE   JOY    OF    CONFESSORS. 

Israel :  I  have  helped  thee,  saith  the  Lord,  and  thy  Re- 
deemer the  Holy  One  of  Israel.     (Isa.  xli.  9 — 14.) 

Who  is  he  that  can  hurt  you,  if  you  be  zealous  of  good"? 
But  if  also  you  suffer  any  thing  for  justice'  sake,  blessed 
are  ye.  And  be  not  afraid  of  their  terror,  and  be  not 
troubled.  This  is  thankworthy,  if,  for  conscience  towards 
God,  a  man  endure  sorrows,  suffering  wrongfully.  For 
what  glory  is  it,  if,  sinning  and  being  huffetted,  you  suffer 
ill  But  if,  doing  well,  you  suffer  patiently,  this  is  thank- 
worthy before  God.  For  unto  this  you  have  been  called ; 
because  Christ  also  suffered  for  us,  leaving  you  an  ex- 
ample, that  you  should  follow  his  steps  ;  who  did  no  sin, 
neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth ;  who,  when  He  was 
reviled,  did  not  revile ;  when  He  suffered.  He  threatened 
not,  but  delivered  himself  to  him  that  judged  him  un- 
justly. 

Dearly  beloved,  think  not  strange  the  burning  heat 
which  is  to  try  you,  as  if  some  new  thing  happened  to 
you ;  but  if  you  partake  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  re- 
joice, that,  when  his  glory  shall  be  revealed,  you  may  also 
be  glad  with  exceeding  joy.  If  you  be  reproached  for  the 
name  of  Christ,  you  shall  be  blessed;  for  that  which  is  of 
the  honor,  glory,  and  power  of  God,  and  that  which  is  his 
Spirit,  resteth  upon  you.  But  let  none  of  you  suffer  as  a 
murderer,  or  a  thief,  or  a  railer ;  but  if  as  a  Christian,  let 
him  not  be  ashamed,  but  let  him  glorify  God  in  this  name. 
Wherefore,  let  them  also  that  suffer  according  to  the  will 
of  God,  commend  their  souls  in  good  deeds  to  the  faithful 
Creator.     (1  Pet.  ii.  19—2.3.  iii.  13,  14.  iv.  10—19.) 

And  calling  in  the  apostles,  after  they  had  scourged 
them,  they  charged  them  that  they  should  not  speak  at  all 
in  the  name  of  Jesus,  and  they  dismissed  them.  And  they 
indeed,  went  from  the  council  rejoicing,  that  they  were 
accounted  worthy  to  suffer  reproach  for  the  name  of  Jestts. 


CHRIST,  THE    STRENGTH    OF    MARTYRS.  135 

And  every  day  they  ceased  not,  in  the  temple,  and  from 
house  to  house,  to  teach  and  preach  Christ  Jesus.  (Acts 
V.  40—42.) 

A  faithful  saying ;  If  we  suffer  with  Christ,  we  shall 
also  reign  with  Christ.     (2  Tim.  ii.  12.) 


CHRIST,  THE  STENGTH  OF  MARTYRS. 

^nd  you  shall  give  testimony;  and  they  will  put 
you  out  of  the  synagogues :  yea,  the  hour  cometh, 
that  whosoever  killeth  you,  ivill  think  that  he  doeth 
a  service  to  God.  Behold,  I  send  you  as  sheep  in 
the  midst  of  wolves,  Be  ye,  therefore,  wise  as  ser- 
pents and  simple  as  doves.  But  beware  of  men. 
For  they  ivill  deliver  you  up  in  councils,  and  they 
will  scourge  you  in  their  synagogues.  And  you 
shall  be  brought  before  governers,  and  before  kings, 
for  my  sake,  for  a  testimony  to  them  and  to  the 
Gentiles  ;  but  when  they  shcdl  deliver  you  up,  fake 
no  thought  how  or  what  to  speak :  for  it  shall  be 
given  you  in  that  hour  ivhat  to  speak.  For  it  is  not 
you  that  speak,  but  the  Spirit  of  your  Father  that 
speaketh  in  you.  Therefore,  fear  ye  not  ;  fear  ye 
not  them  that  kill  the  body,  and  are  not  able  to  kill 
the  soul;  but  rather  fear  Him  that  can  destroy  both 
soul  and  body  into  hell.  Whosoever  will  save  his 
life,  shall  lose  it ;  and  whosoever  shall  lose  his  life 
for  my  sake,  and  for  the  Gospel,  shall  save  it. 
John  xvi.  2.    Matt.  x.  15—20.  27,  39. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  upon  sending 
them  on  their  Alission. 

Fear  none  of  those   things   which  thou    shalt   suffer. 
Behold,  the  devil  will  cast  some  of  you  into  prison  that  you 


136 


GRATITUDE    TO    GOD. 


may  be  tried ;  and  you  shall  have  tribulation  ten  days.  Be 
thou  faithful  unto  death,  and  I  will  give  thee  the  crown 
of  life.  He,  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit 
saith  to  the  churches ;  he  that  shall  overcome,  shall  not 
be  hurt  by  the  second  death.  And  when  he  had  opened 
the  fifth  seal,  I  saw  under  the  altar  the  souls  of  them  that 
were  slain  for  the  word  of  God,  and  for  the  testimony 
which  they  held.  And  they  cried  with  a  loud  voice, 
saying ;  How  long,  O  Lord,  holy  and  true !  dost  thou 
not  judge,  and  revenge  our  blood  on  them  that  dwell 
on  the  earth  1  And  white  stoles  were  given  to  each  of 
them  one ;  and  it  is  said  to  them,  that  they  should  rest 
yet  for  a  little  time  till  their  fellow  servants  and  their 
brethren  who  were  to  be  slain  even  as  they,  should  be 
filled  up.  And  one  of  the  ancients  answered,  and  said  to 
me;  Who  are  these  that  are  clothed  in  white  robes'!  and 
whence  are  they  come?  And  he  said  to  him;  My  lord, 
thou  knowest.  And  he  said  to  me  ;  These  are  they  who 
are  come  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their 
robes,  and  have  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 
Blessed  are  they  that  wash  their  robes  in  ihe  blood  of  the 
Lamb ;  that  they  may  have  a  right  to  the  tree  of  life,  and 
may  enter  in  by  the  gates  into  the  city.  (Apoc.  ii.  10,  11. 
vi.  9—11.  vii.  13,  14.  xxii.  14.) 


GRATITUDE  TO  GOD. 

Go  into  the  house  to  thy  friends,  and  tell  them 
hoiv  great  things  the  Lord  hath  done  for  thee,  and 
that  He  hath  had  mercy  on  thee.     St.  Mark  v.  19. 

Words  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  man  out  of  whom  he  had  cast 
forth  an  evil  spirit. 

Now  the  man  out  of  whom  the  devils  were  de- 


GRATITUDE    TO    GOD.  137 

parted,  besought  Jesus  that  he  might  be  with  him. 
But  Jesus  sent  him  away,  saying ;  Return  to  thy 
house,  and  tell  how  great  things  God  hath  done  to 
thee.  And  he  went  through  the  whole  city,  pub- 
lishing how  great  things  Jesus  had  done  to  him, 
St.  Luke  viii.  38,  39. 

AifD  the  people  rejoiced,  when  they  promised  their 
offerings  willingly ;  because  they  offered  them  to  the  Lord 
with  all  their  heart;  and  David  the  king  rejoiced  also 
with  a  great  joy.  And  he  blessed  the  Lord  before  all  the 
multitude,  and  he  said ;  Blessed  art  thou,  O  Lord  the  God 
of  Israel,  our  Father  from  eternity  to  eternity.  Thine,  O 
Lord,  is  magnificence,  and  power,  and  glory,  and  victory; 
and  to  thee  is  praise ;  for  all  that  is  in  heaven,  and  in 
earth,  is  thine ;  thine  is  the  kingdom,  O  Lord,  and  thou 
art  above  all  princes.  Thine  are  riches,  and  thine  is 
glory ;  thou  hast  dominion  over  all :  in  thy  hand  is  power 
and  might ;  in  thy  hand  greatness,  and  the  empire  of  all 
things. 

Now,  therefore,  our  God,  we  give  thanks  to  Thee ;  and 
we  praise  thy  glorious  name.  Who  am  I,  and  what  is  my 
people,  that  we  should  be  able  to  promise  Thee  all  these 
things  1  all  things  are  thine :  and  we  have  given  Thee 
what  we  received  of  thy  hand.  O  Lord  our  God,  all  this 
store  that  we  have  prepared  to  build  Thee  a  house  for  thy 
holy  name,  is  from  thy  hand ;  and  all  things  are  thine.  I 
know,  my  God,  that  thou  provest  hearts,  and  lovest  sim- 
plicity ;  wherefore,  I  also  in  the  simplicity  of  my  heart, 
have  joyfully  offered  all  these  things:  and  I  have  seen 
with  great  joy  thy  people  which  are  here  present,  offer 
Thee  their  offerings.     (1  Faral.  xxix.  9.) 

David's  thanksgiving  at  the  building  of  the  Temple. 

12* 


138  GRATITUDE    TO    GOD. 

When  thou  hast  enjoyed  the  abundance  of  all  things, 
take  heed,  and  beware  lest  at  any  time  thou  forget  the 
Lord  thy  God,  and  neglect  his  commandments,  and  judg- 
ments, and  ceremonies,  which  I  command  thee  this  day; 
lest  after  thou  hast  eaten  and  art  filled,  hast  built  goodly 
houses,  and  dwelt  in  them,  and  shalt  have  herds  of  oxen 
and  flocks  of  sheep,  and  plenty  of  gold  and  of  silver,  and 
of  all  things,  thy  heart  be  lifted  up,  and  thou  remember 
not  the  Lord  thy  God;  lest  thou  should  say  in  thy  heart; 
My  own  might,  and  the  strength  of  my  own  hand,  have 
achieved  all  these  things  for  me.  But  remember  the  Lord 
thy  God,  that  He  hath  given  all  to  thee.  (Deut.  viii. 
11—18.) 

In  those  days  Ezechias  was  sick  even  to  death,  and  he 
prayed  to  the  Lord,  and  He  heard  him,  and  give  him  a 
sign ;  but  he  did  not  render  again  according  to  the  benefits 
which  he  had  received ;  for  his  heart  was  lifted  up,  and 
wrath  was  enkindled  against  him,  and  against  Juda  and 
Jerusalem.  And  he  humbled  himself  afterwards,  because 
his  heart  had  been  lifted  up,  both  he  and  the  inhabitants 
of  Jerusalem ;  and  therefore,  the  wrath  of  the  Lord  came 
not  upon  them  in  the  days  of  Ezechias.  (2  Paral.  xxxii. 
24—26.) 

What  hast  thou  that  thou  hast  not  received  1  And  if 
thou  hast  received,  why  dost  thou  glory,  as  if  thou  hadst 
not  received  itl  (1  Cor.  iv.  7.)  Give  thanks  always  for  all 
things,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  God  and 
the  Father.     {Eph.  v.  20.) 

Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  let  all  that  is  within  me 
bless  his  holy  name.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and 
never  forget  all  he  hath  done  for  thee;  {Ps.  cii.  10.)  in 
all  things  giving  thanks,  for  this  is  the  will  of  God  in 
Christ  Jesus  concerning  you  all.     (1  Tfiess.  v.  18.) 


CiUARDIAN    ANGELS.  139 


GUARDIAN  ANGELS. 

And  Jesus  calling  unto  Him  a  little  child,  set 
him  in  the  midst  of  them ;  and  said.  See  that  you 
despise  not  one  of  these  little  ones  ;  for  I  say  to  you, 
that  their  angels  in  heaven  always  see  the  face  of 
my  Father  who  is  in  heaven.  It  is  written:  That 
he  hath  given  his  Angels  charge  of  thee  ;  and  in 
their  hands  shall  they  bear  thee  up,  lest,  perhaps, 
thou  hurt  thy  foot  against  a  stone.  Matt,  xviii.  2. 10. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

The  angel  of  the  Lord  shall  encamp  round  about  them, 
that  fear  Him,  and  shall  deliver  them.  {Ps.  xxxiii.  8.)  Are 
they  not  all  ministering  spirits,  sent  to  minister  for  those 
who  shall  receive  the  inheritance  of  salvation  ]  {Heb.  i.  14.) 

I  say  to  you,  there  shall  be  joy  before  the  angels  of  God 
upon  one  sinner  doing  penance.     {Luke  xv.  10.) 

And  an  angel  came,  and  stood  before  the  altar,  having 
a  golden  censer ;  and  there  was  given  to  him  much  in- 
cense, that  he  should  offer  of  the  prayers  of  all  saints  upon 
the  golden  altar,  which  is  before  the  throne  of  God;  and 
the  smoke  of  the  incense  of  the  prayers  of  the  saints  as- 
cended up  before  God,  from  the  hand  of  the  angel.  (Apoc. 
viii.  3,  4.) 

Bless  the  Lord,  all  ye  his  angels;  you  that  are  mighty 
in  strength,  and  execute  his  word,  hearkening  to  the  voice 
of  his  orders.     (Ps.  ci.  20.) 

And  the  angel  said  to  Tobias;  Bless  ye  the  God  of 
heaven  ;  give  glory  to  Him  in  the  sight  of  all  that  live; 
because  He  hath  shown  his  mercy  to  you ;  for  it  is  good 
to  hide  the  secret  of  a  king,  but  honorable  to  reveal  ani 
confess  the  works  of  God.     I  discover  then  the  truth  unto 


140 


TRUSTING    IN    OURSELVES. 


you ;  and  I  will  not  hide  the  secret  from  you.  When  thou 
didst  pray  with  tears,  and  didst  bury  the  dead  by  night,  I 
offered  thy  prayer  to  the  Lord.  And  because  thou  wast 
acceptable  to  God,  it  was  necessary  that  temptation  should 
prove  thee.  And  now  the  Lord  hath  sent  me  to  heal  thee, 
and  to  deliver  Sara  thy  son's  wife  from  the  devil.  For  I 
am  the  Angel  Raphael,  one  of  the  seven,  who  stand  before 
the  Lord.  And  when  they  had  heard  these  things,  they 
were  troubled ;  and  being  seized  with  fear,  they  fell  upon 
the  ground  on  their  face.  And  the  Angel  said  to  them : 
Peace  be  to  you ;  fear  not.  For  when  I  was  with  you,  I 
was  there  by  the  will  of  God;  bless  ye  Him,  and  sing 
praises  to  Him.  I  seemed  indeed  to  eat  and  to  drink  with 
you ;  but  I  use  an  invisible  meat  and  drink,  which  cannot 
be  seen  by  men.  It  is  time,  therefore,  that  I  return  to  Him 
that  sent  me  :  but  bless  ye  God,  and  publish  all  his  won- 
derful works.  And  when  He  had  said  these  things.  He 
was  taken  from  their  sight,  and  they  could  see  Him  no 
more.     (Tobias,  xii.  6 — 21.) 


TRUSTING  IN  OURSELVES. 

Jesus  spoke  this  parable  to  some  who  trusted  in 
themselves  as  just,  and  despised  others.  Two  men 
went  up  into  the  temple  to  pray,  the  one  a  Pharisee, 
and  the  other  a  publican.  The  Pharisee  standing, 
prayed  thus  with  himself:  O  God,  I  give  Thee 
thanks  that  I  am  not  as  the  rest  of  men,  extorti- 
oners, unjust,  adulterers,  nor  such  as  this  publican. 
Ifast  twice  in  the  week  ;  I  gives  tithes  of  all  that  I 
possess.  And  the  publican,  standing  afar  off,  would 
not  so  much  as  lift  his  eyes  towards  heaven,  but 
struck  his  breast,  saying:  O  God,  be  merciful  to 


TRUSTING    IN    OURSELVES.  141 

me  a  sinner  !  I  say  to  you,  this  man  went  down  to 
'  his  house  justified  rather  than  the  other :  because 
every  one  that  exalteth  himself,  shall  be  humbled; 
and  he  that  humbleth  himself  shall  be  axalted, 
St.  Luke  xviii.  9—14. 

A  MAJT  cannot  receive  any  thing  except  it  be  given  hira 
from  heaven.     (John  iii.  27.) 

Words  of  John  the  Baptist  to  his  disciples. 

Doth  the  master  thank  the  servant,  because  he  did  the 
things  which  He  commanded  him  1  I  think  not.  So  you 
also,  when  you  shall  have  done  all  the  things  that  are  com- 
manded you,  say :  We  are  unprofitable  servants  ;  we  have 
done  that  which  we  ought  to  do.     (Luke  xvii.  9,  10.) 

Their  own  arm  did  not  save  them ;  but  by  thy  right 
hand,  and  by  the  light  of  thy  countenance  were  they 
saved.  (Ps.  xliii.  4.)  They  shall  laugh  at  him  and  say  ; 
Behold  the  man  that  made  not  God  his  helper,  but  who 
trusted  in  his  sufficiency.  (Ps.  xli.  8.)  Wo  to  you  apos- 
tate children,  saith  the  Lord,  that  you  would  take  counsel, 
and  not  of  me ;  and  would  begin  a  web,  and  not  by  my 
spirit ;  and  have  confidence,  but  not  in  the  Holy  one  of 
Israel.     (Is.  xxx.  1.) 

Blessed  be  the  man  that  trusteth  in  the  Lord,  and  the 
Lord  shall  be  his  confidence.  0  Lord,  the  hope  of  Israel, 
all  that  forsake  Thee  shall  be  confounded ;  they  that  depart 
from  Thee,  shall  be  written  in  the  earth,  because  they 
have  forsaken  the  Lord,  the  vein  of  living  waters.  Heal 
me,  O  Lord,  and  I  shall  be  healed ;  save  me,  and  I  shall 
be  saved;  for  Thou  art  my  praise.  (Jer.  xvii.  7,  13,  14.) 

Shall  not  my  soul  be  subject  to  Godl  for  from  Him  is 
my  salvation,  for  He  is  my  God  and  my  Saviour ;  He  is 
my  protector.  But  be  thou,  0  my  soul,  subject  to  God,  for 
from  Him  is  my  patience ;   for  He  is  my  God  and  my 


142  PRESUMPTION. 

Saviour ;  He  is  my  helper,  I  shall  not  be  moved.  In  God 
is  my  salvation  and  my  glory ;  He  is  the  God  of  my  help, 
and  my  hope  is  in  God.  Trust  in  Him  all  ye  congregation 
of  people  ;  pour  out  your  hearts  before  Him :  God  is  our 
helper  forever.     (Ps.  Ixi.  2 — 9.) 

Every  best  gift,  and  every  perfect  gift,  is  from  above, 
coming  down  from  the  Father  of  lights,  with  whom  there 
is  no  change,  nor  shadow  of  vicissitude.  {James  i.  17.) 
Where  is  then  thy  boasting  ■?  It  is  excluded.  (Rom.  iii.  27.) 
For  if  any  man  think  himself  to  be  something,  whereas  he 
is  nothing,  he  deceiveth  himself,  (Ga/.  vi.  3.)  for  we  are 
not  sufficient  to  think  any  thing  of  ourselves,  as  of  our 
selves,  but  our  sufficiency  is  from  God :  (2  Cor.  iii.  5,)  1 
can  do  all  things  in  Him  who  strengthen eth  me.  {Phil. 
iv.  13.) 


PRESUMPTION. 

And  James  and  John  the  sons  of  Zebedee,  came 
to  Jesus  saying ;  Master,  we  desire,  that  whatso- 
ever we  shall  ask,  thou  wouldst  do  it  for  us.  But 
He  said  to  them;  What  would  you  that  I  should  do 
for  you  ?  and  they  said:  Grant  to  us,  that  we  may 
sit,  one  on  thy  right  hand,  and  the  other  on  thy  left 
hand,  in  thy  glory.  And  Jesus  said  to  them :  You 
know  not  what  you  ask.     St.  Mark  x.  35 — 38. 

O  Lord,  keep  thy  servant  from  presumptuous  sins;  let 
them  not  have  dominion  over  me.  (Ps.  xviii.  14.)  The 
man  that  will  do  presumptuously,  and  refuse  to  obey  the 
commandment  of  the  priest,  who  standeth  to  minister  to. 
the  Lord  God,  that  man  shall  die,  and  Thou  shalt  take 
away  the  evil  from  Israel.     And  all  the  people  hearing  it 


PRESUMPTION.  143 

shall  fear,  and  shall  do  no  more  presumptuously.  Take 
heed  and  beware  lest  thou  forget  the  Lord  thy  God,  and 
neglect  his  commandments;  lest  thy  heart  be  lifted  up, 
and  thou  remember  not  the  Lord  thy  God.  But  thou  wouldst 
say  in  thy  heart:  My  own  might  and  the  strength  of  my 
own  hand  have  achieved  all  these  things  for  me.  (JDeut. 
viii.  11,  14,  17.  xvii.  12,  13.) 

Boast  not  for  to-morrow ;  for  thou  knowest  not  what  the 
day  to  come  may  bring  forth.  (^Pro.  xxvii.  1.)  Behold 
now,  you  who  say :  To-day  or  to-morrow,  we  will  go  into 
such  a  city ;  and  there  we  will  spend  a  year,  and  will 
traffic,  and  make  gain  :  whereas  you  know  not  what  shall 
be  on  the  morrow.  For  what  is  your  life  ?  It  is  a  vapor 
which  appeareth  for  a  little  while,  and  afterwards  shall 
vanish  away.  Insteadof  that  you  should  say :  If  the  Lord 
will ;  and,  If  we  shall  live,  we  will  do  this  or  that.  But  now 
you  glory  in  your  arrogancies.  All  such  glorifying  is 
wicked.     (James  i v.  13 — 16.) 

Why  dost  thou  glory  in  malice,  thou  that  art  mighty  in 
iniquity  1  {Ps.  li.  3.)  Thus  saith  the  Lord :  Let  not  the 
wise  man  glory  in  his  wisdom,  and  let  not  the  strong  man. 
glory  in  his  strength,  and  let  not  the  rich  man  glory  in  his 
riches.  But  let  him  that  glorieth  glory  in  this,  that  he 
understandeth  and  knoweth  me,  for  I  am  the  Lord  that 
exercise  mercy,  and  judgment,  and  justice  in  the  earth : 
for  these  things  please  me,  saith  the  Lord.  (Jer.  xi.  23, 24.) 
We  must  not  be  high-minded,  but  fear.  (Rom.  xi.  20.) 
Blessed  is  he  that  watcheth  ;  (Apu.  xvi.  15.)  let  not  him 
who  is  girt  with  his  armor,  boast  himself  as  one  ungirded; 
[who  has  put  off  his  armor,  after  the  victory.]  (3  Kings,  xx. 
11.)  knowing  that  while  we  are  in  the  body  (2  Cor.  v.  6.) 
we  may  not  boast,  not  knowing  what  the  day  may  bring 
forth.  (Pro.  xxvii.  1.)  Jesus  saith  to  his  disciples:  You 
will  all  be  scandalized  in  me  this  night,  for  it  is  written : 


■IT 


IIU 


144  HUMILITY. 

I  will  strike  the  shepherd,  and  the  sheep  shall  be  dis-^ 
persed.  But  Peter  saith  to  Him :  Although  all  shall  be; 
scandalized  in  Thee,  yet  not  I.  Now  Peter  sat  without  in  jc 
the  court,  and  there  came  to  him  a  servant-maid  saying: 
Thou  also  wast  with  Jesus  the  Galilean.  {Matt.  xxvi.  35.|l', 
69 — 74.)  but  He  denied  before  them  all,  saying :  I  know  not 
what  thou  sayest.  And  as  he  went  out  of  the  gate,  another 
maid  saw  him,  and  she  saith  to  them  that  were  there:  This 
man  also  was  with  Jesus  of  Nazareth.  And  again  he  denied 
with  an  oath ;  I  know  not  the  man.  And  after  a  little 
while  they  came  that  stood  by,  and  said  to  Peter:  Surely 
thou  also  art  one  of  them :  for  even  thy  speech  doth  dis- 
cover thee.  Then  he  began  to  curse  and  to  swear  that  he 
knew  not  the  man  ;  and  immediately  the  cock  crew,  and 
the  Lord  turning  looked  on  Peter.  And  Peter  remembered 
the  word  of  the  Lord,  as  He  had  said :  Before  the  cock 
crow,  thou  shalt  deny  me  thrice.  And  Peter  going  out 
wept  bitterly.     {Luke  xxii.  61,  62.) 


HUMILITY. 

Every  one  that  exalteth  himself,  shall  be  humbled; 
and  he  that  humbleth  himself,  shall  be  exalted.  St. 
Luke  xxiv.  11. 

Words  of  our  blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

The  High  and  the  Eminent,  that  inhabiteth  eternity;  He 
whose  name  is  Holy,  dwelleth  in  the  high  and  holy  place, 
and  with  a  contrite  and  humble  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit 
of  the  humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the  contrite. 
{Isa.  Ivii.  15.)  Where  pride  is,  there  also  shall  be  re- 
proach; but  where  humility  is,  there  also  is  wisdom. 
Pride  goeth  before  destruction,  and  the  spirit  is  lifted  up 


HUMILITY.  145 

before  a  fall.  The  fruit  of  humility  is  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  riches,  and  glory,  and  life.  Before  destruction,  the 
heart  of  a  man  is  exalted ;  and  before  he  is  glorified,  it  is 
humbled.  (Prov.  xi.  2.  xvi.  19.  xviii.  12.  xxii.  4.)  Do 
ye  insinuate  humility  one  to  another;  for  God  resisteth 
the  proud,  and  giveth  grace  to  the  humble.  (Pet.  v.  5.) 
Be  subject,  therefore,  to  God;  (James  iv.  7,)  for  them  that 
walk  in  pride  He  is  able  to  abase.  (Dan.  iv.  34.)  Be 
humbled  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and  He  will  exalt  you ; 
(James  iv.  10,)  not  puffed  up  with  pride,  lest  thou  fall  into 
the  snare  of  the  devil.     (1  Tim.  iii.  6.) 

When  thou  art  invited  to  a  feast,  go,  sit  down  in  the 
lowest  place,  that  when  he  who  invited  thee  comeih,  he 
may  say  to  thee ;  Friend,  go  up  higher.  Then  shalt  thou 
have  glory  before  them  that  sit  at  table  with  thee.  (Luke 
xiv.  10.)  Jesus  said  to  his  disciples  ;  I  have  given  you 
an  example,  that  as  I  have  done  to  you,  so  you  do  also. 
Amen,  amen,  I  say  to  you ;  The  servant  is  not  greater 
than  his  lord,  neither  is  the  apostle  greater  than  he  that 
sent  him.  If  you  know  these  things,  you  shall  be  blessed 
if  you  do  them.  (John  xv.  15 — 17.)  And  there  entered  a 
thought  into  some  of  the  disciples,  which  of  them  should 
be  greater.  But  Jesus,  seeing  the  thoughts  of  their  heart, 
took  a  child,  and  set  him  by  him,  and  said  to  them ;  Who- 
soever shall  receive  this  child  in  my  name,  receiveth  me; 
and  whosoever  shall  receive  me,  receiveth  Him  that  sent 
me.  For  he  that  is  the  least  among  you  all,  he  is  the 
greatest.  (Luke  ix.  46 — 48.)  If  there  be,  therefore,  any 
consolation  in  Christ,  if  any  comfort  of  charily,  if  any 
fellowship  of  the  Spirit,  if  any  bowels  of  commiseration ; 
fulfil  ye  my  joy,  that  you  be  of  one  mind,  having  the 
same  charity,  being  of  one  accord,  agreeing  in  sentiment. 
Let  nothing  be  done  through  strife,  nor  by  vain-glory ;  but 
in  humility,  If^t  each  esteem  others  better  than  themselves; 

13 


146 


THE    LORD    CHASTISETH. 


for  let  this  mind  be  in  you,  which  was  also  in  Christ 
Jesus,  who  being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it  no  rob- 
bery to  be  equal  with  God ;  but  emptied  himself,  taking 
the  form  of  a  servant,  being  made  in  the  likeness  of  men, 
and  in  habit  found  as  a  man,  he  humbled  himself,  becom- 
ing obedient  unto  death,  even  to  the  death  of  the  cross. 
{Phil.  ii.  1 — 8.)  Grace  be  to  you,  and  peace  from  God 
our  Father,  and  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     (  Col  i.  3.) 


WHOM  THE  LORD  LOVETH  HE  CHASTISETH. 

These  things  saith  the  faithful  and  true  Wit^ 
ness  [the  Lord  Jesus  ;]  Such  as  I  love,  I  rebuke 
and  chastise,    Apoc.  iii.  14,  19. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts ;  I  will  be  to  him  a  father, 
and  he  shall  be  to  me  a  son ;  and  if  he  commit  any 
iniquity,  I  will  correct  him  with  the  rod  of  men,  and  with 
the  stripes  of  the  children  of  men. 

Words  nf  the  Lord  to  David,  by  the  prophet  Nathan. 

Correct  me,  O  Lord,  but  yet  with  judgment  [clemency,^ 
and  not  in  thy  fury,  lest  Thou  bring  me  to  nothing.  {Jer. 
X.  24.) 

My  son,  reject  not  the  correction  of  the  Lord,  and  do 
not  faint  when  thou  art  chastised  by  Him;  for  whom  the 
Lord  loveth  He  chastiseth ;  and,  as  a  father,  in  the  son  He 
pleaseth  himself.  (Prov.  iii.  11,  12.)  Blessed  is  the  man 
whom  God  correcteth;  refuse  not,  therefore,  the  chastising  |^ 
of  the  Lord;  for  He  woundeth,  and  cureth,  He  striketh, 
and  his  hands  shall  heal.     {Job  v.  17,  18.) 

If  my  children  forsake  my  law,  and  walk  not  in  my  judg- 
ments ;  if  they  profane  my  justices,  and  keep  not  my  com- 
mandments ;  I  will  visit  their  iniquities  with  a  rod,  and  their 


THE    LORD    CHASTISKTH.  147 

sins  with  stripes.  But  my  mercy  I  will  not  take  away 
from  them,  nor  will  I  suffer  my  truth  to  fail.  When  once 
I  have  sworn  by  my  holiness,  the  words  that  proceed  from 
my  mouth,  shall  not  be  made  void.  (Ps.  Ixxxviii.  31 — 35.) 
For  thou,  O  God,  hast  proved  us ;  Thou  hast  tried  us  by 
fire,  as  silver  is  tried.  We  have  passed  through  fire  and 
water,  and  Thou  hast  brought  us  out  into  a  refreshment. 
(Ps.  Ixv.  10,  11.)  Lord,  they  have  sought  after  Thee  in 
distress ;  in  the  tribulation  of  murmuring  thy  instruction 
was  with  them.  (Isa.  xxvi.  16.)  You  have  forgotten  the 
consolation  which  speaketh  to  you  as  to  children,  saying; 
My  son,  neglect  not  the  discipline  of  the  Lord,  neither  be 
thou  wearied  whilst  thou  art  rebuked  by  Him ;  for  whom 
the  Lord  loveth.  He  chastiseth,  and  He  scourgeth  every  son 
whom  He  receiveth.  Persevere  under  chastisement.  God 
offereth  himself  to  you  as  to  sons;  for  what  son  is  he, 
whom  the  father  doth  not  correct?  But  if  you  be  without 
chastisement,  whereof  all  are  made  partakers,  then  you 
are  base-born,  and  not  sons.  Moreover,  we  have  had 
fathers  of  our  flesh,  who  corrected  us,  and  we  gave  them 
reverence ;  shall  we  not  much  more  obey  the  father  of  our 
spirits,  and  live  ]  And  they,  indeed,  for  a  few  days  chas- 
tised us  according  to  their  own  pleasure ;  but  He,  for  our 
profit,  that  we  might  be  partakers  of  his  holiness.  Now, 
no  chastisement  for  the  present  seemeth  to  bring  with  it 
joy,  but  sorrow ;  but  afterwards  it  will  yield  to  them  that 
are  exercised  by  it,  the  most  peaceable  fruit  of  justice. 
(Heb.  xii.  5— 11.) 

Now,  as  for  those  who  suffer  according  to  the  will  of 
God,  let  them  commend  their  souls  in  good  deeds  to  the 
faithful  Creator.     (1  Pet.  iv.  19.) 


148  TRIBULATION. 


TRIBULATION. 

In  the  world  you  shall  have  tribulation-,  hut  have 

confidence,     St.  John  xvi.  33. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse 
after  his  last  supper. 

Let  no  man  be  moved  in  these  tribulations ;  for  your- 
selves know,  that  we  are  appointed  thereunto.  (1  Thes.  iii. 
3.)  In  all  things  we  suffer  tribulation,  but  are  not  dis- 
tressed ;  we  are  straitened,  but  are  not  destitute ;  we  suifer 
persecution,  but  are  not  forsaken ;  we  are  cast  down,  but 
we  perish  not:  always  bearing  about  in  our  body  the  dying 
of  Jesus,  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus  may  be  made  manifest 
in  our  bodies.  For  we  who  live  are  always  delivered  unto 
death  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus  may  be 
made  manifest  in  our  mortal  flesh.  For  as  the  sufferings 
of  Christ  abound  in  us,  so  also  by  Christ  doth  our  com- 
fort abound;  knowing  that  as  you  are  partakers  of  the  suf- 
ferings, so  shall  you  be  also  of  the  consolation.  Therefore 
I  take  pleasure  in  my  infirmities,  in  reproaches,  in  neces- 
sities, in  persecutions,  in  distresses  for  Christ's  sake.  For 
when  I  am  weak,  then  I  am  powerful.  For  our  present 
tribulation,  which  is  momentary  and  light,  worketh  for  us 
above  measure  exceedingly  an  eternal  weight  of  glory. 
While  we  look  not  at  the  things  which  are  seen,  but  at  the 
things  which  are  not  seen.  For  the  things  which  are  seen, 
are  temporal ;  but  the  things  which  are  not  seen,  are  eter- 
nal.    (2  Cor.  i.  5—7.  iv.  8—11, 17,  18.  xii.  10.) 

This  is  thanksworthy,  if,  for  conscience  towards  God,  a 
man  endures  sorrows,  suffering  wrongfully.  For  what 
glory  is  it,  if,  sinning  and  being  buffeted,  you  suffer  it? 
But,  if,  doing  well,  you  suffer  patiently,  this  is  thanksworthy 


RESIGNATION   TO   THE    DIVINE    WILL.  149 

before  God.  For  unto  this  you  have  been  called;  because 
Christ  also  suffered  for  us,  leaving  you  an  example,  that 
you  should  follow  his  steps ;  who  did  no  sin,  neither  was 
guile  found  in  his  mouth.  Who,  when  he  was  reviled,  did 
not  revile;  when  He  suffered.  He  threatened  not;  but 
delivered  himself  to  him  that  judged  him  unjustly  :  who 
his  ownself  bore  our  sins  in  his  body  upon  the  tree ;  that 
we,  being  dead  to  sins,  should  live  to  justice ;  by  whose 
stripes  you  were  healed.     (Pet.  ii.  19 — 24.) 

We  are  heirs  indeed  of  God,  and  joint-heirs  with  Christ : 
yet  so,  that  if  we  suffer  with  Him,  we  may  also  be  glori- 
fied with  Him.  For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this 
present  time  are  not  worthy  to  be  compared  with  the  glory 
to  come,  which  shall  be  revealed  in  us.  (Rom.viii.  17,18.) 

Through  many  tribulations  we  must  enter  into  the  king- 
dom of  God.  (Acts  xiv.  21.)  But  the  God  of  all  grace, 
who  halh  called  us  unto  his  eternal  glory  in  Christ  Jesus, 
after  that  you  have  suffered  a  little,  will  himself  perfect 
you,  and  confirm  you,  and  establish  you.  To  Him  be 
glory  and  dominion  forever  and  ever.    Amen. 


RESIGNATION  TO  THE  DIVINE  WILL. 

O  my  Father,  if  this  chalice  cannot  pass  away^ 
hut  I  must  drink  it,  Thy  will  he  done  !  St.Matt. 
xxvi.  42. 

Prayer  of  mir  Blessed  Lord,  in  the  garden  of  Gethsemani, 

The  will  of  the  Lord  be  done  !  (Ads  xxi.  14,)  For  it  is 
God  who  workelh  in  you  both  to  will  and  to  accomplish, 
according  to  his  good  will.     (Phil.  ii.  13.) 

liCt  this  way  be  my  comfort,  that,  though  He  afHict  me 
with  sorrow,  and  spare  not,  I  contradict  not  the  words  of 

13* 


150  RESIGNATION    TO    THE    DIVINE    WILL. 

the  Holy  One.  If  we  have  received  good  things  at  the 
hand  of  God  why  should  we  not  receive  evil  1  {Job.  vi.  10. 
xi.  10.)  Shall  not  both  evil  and  good  proceed  out  of  the 
mouth  of  the  Highest?  Why  hath  a  living  man  mur- 
mured, a  man  suffering  for  his  sins?     {Lam.  iii.  38,  39.) 

The  Lord  is  compassionate  and  merciful ;  long  suffering 
and  plenteous  in  mercy.  He  will  not  always  be  angry, 
nor  will  he  threaten  forever.  He  hath  not  dealt  with  us 
according  to  our  sins,  nor  rewarded  us  according  to  our 
iniquities;  for  according  to  the  height  of  the  heaven 
above  the  earth,  He  hath  strengthened  his  mercy  towards 
them  that  fear  Him.     {Ps.  cii.  8 — 11.) 

And  after  all  that  is  come  upon  us  for  our  most  wicked 
deeds  and  our  great  sin,  seeing  that  Thou  our  God  hast 
saved  us  from  our  iniquity,  and  hast  given  us  a  deliver- 
ance as  at  this  day,  O  Lord  God  of  Israel,  behold,  we  are 
before  Thee  in  our  sin;  for  there  can  be  no  standing 
before  Thee  in  this  matter.  (1  Esdras  x.  13,  15.)  I  will 
bear  the  wrath  of  the  Lord,  because  I  have  sinned  against 
Him ;  until  he  judge  my  cause,  and  execute  judgment  for 
me.  He  will  bring  me  forth  into  the  light,  and  I  shall  behold 
his  justice.     (Mich.  vii.  9.) 

We  know  that  to  them  that  love  God,  all  things  work 
together  unto  good,  to  such  as  according  to  his  purpose 
are  called  to  be  saints.  (Rom.  viii.  28.)  Do  not  therefore 
lose  your  confidence,  which  hath  a  great  reward.  For 
patience  is  necessary  for  you,  that,  doing  the  will  of  God, 
you  may  receive  the  promise.  For  yet  a  little  and  a  very 
little  while,  and  He  that  is  to  come,  will  come,  and  will 
not  delay.  (Heb.  x.  35 — 37.)  Be  you  humble,  therefore, 
under  the  mighty  hand  of  God,  that  He  may  exalt  you  in 
the  time  of  visitation.  (2  Pet.  v.  6.)  They  who  suffer 
according  to  the  will  of  God,  let  them  commend  their  souls 
in  good  deeds  to  their  faithful  Creator,  (1  Pet.  iv.  19.)  who 


Christ's  yoke  is  sweet.  151 

is  able  to  preserve  them  without  sin,  and  to  present  them 
spotless  before  the  presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding 
joy,  in  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

And  to  the  only  God  our  Saviour,  through  Jesus  Christ 
our  Lord,  be  glory  and  majesty,  dominion  and  power,  both 
now  and  forever  and  ever.  Amen.     (Jude  24,  25.) 


CHRIST,  WHOSE  Y  OKE  IS  SWEET,  AND  WHOSE 
BURDEN   IS  LIGHT. 

Come  to  me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy 
laden,  and  I  will  refresh  you.  Take  up  my  yoke  upon 
you,  and  learn  of  me,  because  I  am  meek  and  humble 
of  heart ;  and  you  shall  find  rest  to  your  souls. 
For  my  yoke  is  sweet,  and  my  burden  light.  St. 
Matt.  xi.  28—30. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Saviour  to  his  disciples. 

This  is  the  charity  of  God,  that  we  keep  his  command- 
ments; and  his  commandments  are  not  heavy.  (1  John  v, 
3.)  Blessed  is  the  man  whom  Thou  shall  instruct,  O 
Lord,  and  shalt  teach  him  out  of  thy  law.  That  Thou 
mayst  give  him  rest  from  the  evil  days.  (Ps.  xciii.  12, 
13.) 

In  that  day  the  Lord  of  hosts  shall  be  a  crown  of  glory, 
and  a  garland  of  joy  to  the  residue  of  his  people.  Give 
ear,  0  my  son,  to  the  words  of  wisdom ;  put  thy  feet  into 
her  fetters,  and  thy  neck  into  her  chains;  bow  down  thy 
shoulder,  and  bear  her,  and  be  not  grieved  with  her  bands. 
When  thou  hast  gotten  her,  let  her  not  go ;  for  in  the  latter 
end  thou  shalt  find  rest  in  her,  and  she  shall  be  turned  to 
thy  joy.  Then  shall  her  fetters  be  a  strong  defence  for 
thee,  and  a  firm  foundation,  and  her  chain  a  robe  of  glory. 


152 


CHRIST  S   YOKE    IS   SWEET. 


For  in  her. is  the  beauty  of  life,  and  her  bands  are  a 
healthful  binding.  (Eccles.  vi.  24 — 31.)  Thou  hast  been 
wearied  in  the  multitude  of  thy  ways,  yet  thou  saidst 
not;  I  will  rest.  To  whom  He  said;  This  is  my  rest, 
wherewith  I  refresh  the  weary,  and  this  is  my  refreshing. 
(76'«.  xxviii.  5,  12.  xlvii.  10.) 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  findeth  wisdom.  Length  of 
days  is  in  her  right  hand,  and  in  her  left  hand  riches  and 
glory ;  her  ways  are  beautiful  ways,  and  all  her  paths  are 
peace.  She  is  a  tree  of  life  to  them  that  lay  hold  on  her, 
and  he  that  shall  retain  her  is  blessed.  And  she  shall  be 
life  to  thy  soul,  and  grace  to  thy  lips.  Then  shalt  thou 
walk  confidently  in  thy  way,  and  thy  foot  shall  not  stum- 
ble ;  if  thou  sleep,  thou  shalt  not  fear;  thou  shalt  rest,  and 
thy  sleep  shall  be  sweet.     (Prov.  iii.  15 — 24.) 

They  that  sow  in  tears  shall  reap  in  joy.  Going,  they 
went  and  wept,  casting  their  seeds;  but  coming,  they 
shall  come  with  joyfulness,  carrying  their  sheaves.  (Ps. 
cxv,  5^7.) 

Hear  me,  O  Lord,  for  thy  mercy  is  kind ;  look  upon  me 
according  to  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies.  And 
turn  not  away  thy  face  from  thy  servant,  for  I  am  in 
trouble;  hear  me  speedily.  Attend  to  my  soul,  and  deliver 
it;  save  me  because  of  my  enemies.     (Ps.  Ixviii.  17 — 19.) 

I  will  remember  the  tender  mercies  of  the  Lord,  the 
praise  of  the  Lord,  for  all  the  things  that  the  Lord  hath 
bestowed  upon  us,  and  for  the  multitude  of  his  good  things 
to  the  house  of  Israel,  which  He  hath  given  them  accord- 
ing to  his  kindness,  and  according  to  the  multitude  of  his 
mercies.  And  He  said  ;  Surely  they  are  my  people,  chil- 
dren that  will  not  deny ;  so  He  became  their  Saviour. 
In  all  their  affliction  He  was  not  troubled,  and  the  angel 
of  his  presence  saved  them ;  in  his  love,  and  in  his 
mercy.  He  redeemed  them.     (Isa.  Ixiii.  7 — 9.) 


JOY    IN    THE    LORD.  153 

For  a  small  moment  have  I  forsaken  thee,  but  with 
great  mercies  will  I  gather  thee.  In  a  moment  of  indig- 
nation have  I  hid  my  face  a  little  while  from  thee,  but 
with  everlasting  kindness  have  I  had  mercy  on  thee,  said 
the  Lord  thy  Redeemer,     (ha.  liv.  7,  8.) 

The  Lord  hath  chosen  Sion,  He  hath  chosen  it  for  His 
dwelling.  This  is  my  rest  forever  and  ever;  here  will  I 
dwell,  for  I  have  chosen  it.  Turn,  O  my  soul,  into  thy 
rest,  for  the  Lord  hath  been  bountiful  to  thee.  For  he 
hath  delivered  my  soul  from  death,  my  eyes  from  tears, 
my  feet  from  falling.  I  will  please  the  Lord  in  the  land 
of  the  living.     (Ps.  cxxxi.  11,  14.  cxiv.  7—9.) 

There  remaineth  a  rest  for  the  people  of  God ;  let  us 
hasten,  therefore,  to  enter  into  that  rest.     (Heb.  iv.  9,  11.) 


JOY  IN  THE  LORD. 

TTiese  things  have  I  spoken  to  you,  that  my  joy 

may  be  in  you,  and  your  joy  may  be  filled.    Amen^ 

amen,  I  say  to   you,  that  you   shall  lament   and 

weep,  but  the  world  shall  rejoice  ;  and  you  shall  be 

sorrowful,  but  your  sorrow  shall  be  turned  into  joy. 

You  now,  indeed,  have  sorrow,  but  I  will  see  you 

again,  and  your  heart  shall  rejoice,  and  your  joy 

no  man  shall  take  from  you.     Hitherto  you  have 

not  asked  any  thing  in  my  name.     Ask,  and  you 

shall  receive,  that  your  joy  may  be  full.     John  xv. 

11,  20.   xvi.  22,  24. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Redeemer,  to  his  disciples,  on  the  eve 

of  his  passion. 

Axi)  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  shall  return,  and  shall 
come  into  Sion  with  his  praise,  and  everlasting  joy  shall 


154  JOY    IN    THE    LORD. 

be  upon  their  heads;  they  shall  obtain  joy  and  glad- 
ness, and  sorrow  and  mourning  shall  flee  away.  The 
Lord  will  comfort  Sion,  and  will  comfort  all  the  ruins 
thereof,  and  He  will  make  her  desert  as  a  place  of  plea- 
sure, and  her  wilderness  as  the  garden  of  the  Lord.  Joy 
and  gladness  shall  be  found  therein,  thanksgiving  and 
the  voice  of  praise.  And  they  that  are  redeemed  by 
the  Lord,  shall  return,  and  shall  come  into  Sion  singing 
praises,  and  joy  everlasting  shall  be  upon  their  heads ; 
they  shall  obtain  joy  and  gladness  ;  sorrow  and  mourning 
shall  flee  away.  I,  I  myself  will  comfort  you.  (Isa.  xxxv. 
10.  li.  3,  11,  12.)  They  shall  come  with  weeping,  but  1 
will  bring  them  back  in  joy.  (Jer.  xxxi.  9.) 

Be  not  sorrowful,  for  the  joy  of  the  Lord  is  our  strength. 
(2  Esdras  viii.  10.)  The  voice  of  rejoicing  and  of  salva- 
tion is  in  the  tabernacles  of  the  just.  The  Lord  is  the  por- 
tion of  mine  inheritance.  The  lines  are  fallen  unto  me  in 
goodly  places  ;  for  my  inheritance  is  goodly  to  me.  Thou 
hast  made  known  to  me  the  ways  of  life,  Thou  shalt  fill 
me  with  joy  with  thy  countenance ;  at  thy  right  hand  are 
delights  even  to  the  end.     {Ps.  cxvii.  15.  xv.  5,  6,  11.) 

I  have  trusted  in  thy  mercy,  and  my  heart  shall  rejoice 
in  thy  salvation ;  1  will  sing  to  the  Lord,  who  giveth  me 
good  things,  yea,  I  will  sing  to  the  name  of  the  Lord  the 
Most  High.  Let  all  that  seek  Thee  rejoice,  and  be  glad 
in  Thee;  and  let  such  as  love  thy  salvation,  say  always ; 
The  Lord  be  magnified.  We  are  filled  in  the  morning 
with  thy  mercy ;  we  are  rejoiced,  and  are  delighted  all  our 
days.     {Ps.  xii.  6.  Ixix.  .5.  xc.  14.) 

My  soul  shall  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  and  shall  be  delighted 
in  his  salvation.  {Ps.  xxxiv.  9.)  Rejoice  in  the  Lord 
always  ;  again,  I  say,  rejoice.  {Phil  iv.  4.)  And  may  the 
God  of  hope  fill  you  with  all  joy  and  peace  in  believing ; 
that  you  may  abound  in  hope,  and  in  the  power  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.     {Eom.  xv.  13.) 


PURITY    OF    INTENTION.  155 


PURITY  OF  INTENTION. 

Take  heed  that  you  do  not  your  justice  before 
men,  that  you  may  be  seen  by  them  ;  otherwise  you 
shall  not  have  a  reward  from  your  Father,  who  is 
in  heaven.  When  thou  doest  an  alms-deed,  sound 
not  a  trumpet  before  thee,  as  the  hypocrites  do  in  the 
synagogues  and  in  the  streets,  that  they  may  be 
honored  by  men.  Amen  I  say  to  you,  they  have 
received  their  reward.  But  when  thou  doest  alms, 
let  not  thy  left  hand  know  what  thy  right  hand 
doeth :  that  thy  alms  may  be  in  secret,  and  thy  Fa- 
ther, ivho  seeth  in  secret,  will  repay  thee.  St. 
Matt.  vi.  1 — 4.  Do  good,  hoping  for  nothing 
thereby  ;  and  your  reward  shall  be  great,  and  you 
shall  be  sons  of  the  Most  High.  St.  Luke  vi.  35. 
Word^  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

Look  to  yourselves,  that  you  lose  not  the  things  which 
you  have  wrought ;  but  that  you  may  receive  a  full  reward. 
(2  John  i.  8.) 

Let  no  man  seek  his  own,  but  that  which  is  for  the  wel- 
fare of  another ;  (1  Cor.  X.  24.)  each  one  not  considering 
the  things  that  are  his  own,  but  those  that  are  other  men's. 
For  all  seek  the  things  that  are  their  own,  not  the  things 
that  are  Jesus  Christ's.  (Phil.  ii.  4,  21.)  But  Christ  died 
for  all ;  that  they  also,  who  live,  may  not  now  live  to  them- 
selves but  to  Him,  who  died  for  them,  and  rose  again. 
(2  Cor.  V.  15.) 

When  thou  makest  a  dinner  or  a  supper,  call  not  thy 
friends,  nor  thy  brethren,  nor  thy  kinsmen,  nor  thy  neigh- 
bors who  are  rich ;  lest  they  also  invite  thee  again,  and  a 
recompense  be  made  to  ihee.    But  when  thou  makest  a 


156  LUKEWARMNESS. 

feast,  call  the  poor,  the  feeble,  the  lame,  and  the  blind. 
And  thou  shalt  be  blessed,  because  they  have  not  where- 
with to  make  thee  recompense :  for  recompense  shall  be 
made  thee  at  the  resurrection  of  the  just.  {Luke  xiv. 
12—14.) 

And  the  word  of  the  Lord  of  Hosts  came  unto  me,  say- 
ing ;  Speak  to  all  the  people  of  the  land,  and  to  the  priests, 
saying :  When  you  fasted  and  mourned  in  the  fifth  and 
seventh  month,  did  you  keep  a  fast  unto  me  ?  and  when 
you  did  eat  and  drink,  did  you  not  eat  for  yourselves,  and 
drink  for  yourselves  1     {Zach.  vii.  4 — 6.) 


LUKEWARMNESS. 

Then  shall  many  be  scandalized ;  and  because 
iniquity  hath  abounded,  the  chanty  of  many  shall 
grow  cold.     Matt.  xxiv.  10,  12. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  to  his  disciples. 

Some  seed  fell  upon  stony  ground  where  it  had  not  much 
earth ;  and  it  shot  up  immediately,  because  it  had  no  depth 
of  earth  ;  and  when  the  sun  was  risen,  it  was  scorched  ; 
and  because  it  had  no  root,  it  withered  away.  And  these 
are  they,  who,  when  they  have  heard  the  word,  immedi- 
ately receive  it  with  joy ;  and  they  have  no  root  in  them- 
selves, but  are  only  for  a  time  :  and  then  when  tribulation 
and  persecution  ariseth  for  the  word's  sake,  they  are  pre- 
sently scandalized.     {Luke  iv.  5,  16,  17.) 

I  know  thy  works,  that  thou  art  neither  cold,  nor  hot ; 
1  would  thou  wert  cold,  or  hot :  but  because  thou  art  luke- 
warm, and  neither  cold,  nor  hot,  I  will  begin  to  vomit  thee 
out  of  my  mouth.  {Apoc.  iii.  15, 16.)     But  you  brethren,  be 


LUKEWARMNESS.  157 

I  not  weary  in  well-doing.  (2  Thess.  iii.  13.)  In  carefulness 
I  not  slothful ;  in  spirit,  fervent;  serving  the  Lord  :  (Rom, 
xii.  11.)  To  him  who  knoweth  to  do  good,  and  doth  it 
not,  to  hira  it  is  sin.     (James  iv.  17.) 

Jesus  said  to  one  of  the  multitude  ;  Follow  me.  And  he 
said:  I  will  follow  thee,  Lord;  but  let  me  first  take  my 
leave  of  them  that  are  at  my  house.  Jesus  said  to  him  : 
No  man  putting  his  hand  to  the  plough  and  looking  back, 
is  fit  for  the  kingdom  of  God.     (Luke  ix.  61,  62.) 

And  Pilate  saith  to  Jesus  ;  <  What  is  truth  V  And  when 
he  had  said  this,  he  went  forth.     (John  xviii.  37,  38.) 

And  as  Paul  treated  of  justice,  and  chastity,  and  of  the 
judgment  to  come,  Felix  being  terrified,  answered;  For 
this  time  go  thy  wa}^,  but  when  I  have  a  convenient  time 
I  will  send  for  thee.      (Acts  xxiv.  25.) 

Agrippa  said  to  Paul ;  Within  a  little  thou  persuadest 
me  to  become  a  Christian.  And  Paul  said ;  I  would  to 
God  that,  both  in  little  and  in  much,  not  only  thou,  but  also 
all  that  hear  me  this  day,  should  become  such  as  I  also 
am— except  these  chains.     (Ads  xxvi.  28,  29.) 

So  Naaman  came  with  his  horses  and  chariots,  and 
stood  at  the  door  of  the  house  of  Eliseus.  And  Eliseus 
sent  a  messenger  to  him,  saying :  Go,  and  wash  seven 
times  in  the  Jordan,  and  thy  flesh  shall  recover  health, 
and  thou  shalt  be  clean.  Naaman  was  angry,  and  went 
away  saying:  I  thought  he  would  have  come  out  to  me, 
and  standing  would  have  invoked  the  name  of  the  Lord 
his  God,  and  touched  with  his  hand  the  place  of  the  leprosy, 
and  healed  me.  Are  not  the  Abana,  and  the  Pharphar 
rivers  of  Damascus,  better  than  all  the  waters  of  Israel, 
that  I  may  wash  in  them,  and  be  made  clean  1  So  as  he 
turned,  and  was  going  away  with  indignation,  his  servants 
came  to  him,  and  said  to  him  :  Father,  if  the  prophet  had 
bid  thee  do  some  great  thing,  surely  thou  shouldst  have 

14 


158  ZEAL,    ACCORDING    TO   KNOWLEDGE. 

done  it ;  how  much  rather  what  He  now  hath  said  to  thee  : 
Wash,  and  thou  shalt  be  clean  1     (4  Kings  iv.  9 — 13.) 


ZEAL,  ACCORDING  TO  KNOWLEDGE. 

Jesus  found  in  the  temple  them  that  sold  oxen 
and  sheep  and  doves,  and  the  changers  of  money 
sitting  ;  and  when  he  had  made  as  it  were  a  scourge 
of  little  cords,  he  drove  them  all  out  of  the  temple, 
the  sheep  also  and  the  oxen;  and  the  money  of  the 
changers  he  poured  out,  and  the  tables  he  overthrew. 
And  to  them  that  sold  doves.  He  said :  Take  these 
things  hence,  and  make  not  the  house  of  my  Father 
a  house  of  traffic,  And  his  disciples  remembered 
that  it  was  written:  The  zeal  of  thy  house  hath 
eaten  me  up,     John  ii.  14 — 17. 

Be  not  wise  in  your  own  conceits.  . .  There  are  they 
who  have  a  zeal  of  God,  but  not  according  to  knowledge ; 
(Rom.  xii.  10,  16.)  but  be  zealous  for  that  which  is  good 
in  a  good  thing  always;  (Gal.  iv.  18.)  I  say,  through  the 
grace  that  is  given  me,  to  all  that  are  among  you,  not  to  be 
more  wise  than  it  behoveth  to  be  wise ;  but  to  be  wise  unto 
sobriety,  and  according  as  God  hath  divided  to  every  one 
the  measure  of  faith.  (Rom.  xii.  3.)  Speak  the  words  of 
truth  and  soberness.     (Acts.  xxvi.  25.) 

Dearly  beloved,  taking  all  care  to  write  to  you  concern- 
ing your  common  salvation,  I  was  under  a  necessity  to 
write  to  you,  to  beseech  you  to  contend  earnestly  for  the 
faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints.  (Jude  i.  3.)  Sanctify 
the  Lord  Christ  in  your  heart,  being  always  ready  to  satisfy 
every  one  that  askeih  you  a  reason  of  that  hope  which  is 
ill  you.    But  with  modesty  and  fear,  having  a  good  con- 


GOVERNMENT   OF    THE    TONGUE.  159 

science  ;  that  whereas  they  speak  evil  of  you,  they  may  be 
ashamed  who  falsely  accuse  your  good  conversation  in 
Christ.     (1-Pe^.  iii.  15, 16.) 

I  have  spoken  unwisely,  and  things  that  above  measure 
exceeded  my  knowledge.  {Job.  xlii.  3.)  Some  going  astray, 
are  turned  aside  unto  vain  babbling ;  desiring  to  be  teach- 
ers of  the  law,  understanding  neither  the  things  they  say, 
nor  whereof  they  affirm.     (1  Tim.  i.  6,  7.) 

Contend  not  in  words,  for  it  is  to  no  profit,  but  to  the 
subversion  of  the  hearers.  Avoid  foolish  and  unlearned 
questions,  knowing  that  they  beget  strifes,  (2  Tim.  xiv. 
23.)  furnishing  questions,  rather  than  the  edification  of 
God,  which  is  faith. 

Now  the  end  of  the  commandment  is  charity  from  a 
pure  heart,  and  a  good  conscience,  and  an  unfeigned  faith. 
From  which  things  some,  going  astray,  are  turned  aside  to 
vain  talk,  desiring  to  be  teachers  of  the  law,  understand- 
ing neither  the  things  they  sa)',  nor  those  whereof  they 
affirm.     (1  Tim.  i.  4—7.) 

Let  those  who  believe  in  God,  be  careful  to  excel  in 
good  works,  in  things  good  and  profitable  to  men.  But 
avoid  foolish  questions,  and  contentions,  and  strivings 
about  the  law ;  for  they  are  unprofitable  and  vain.  (2  Tit, 
iii.  8,  9.) 


GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  TONGUE. 

But  1  say  unto  you,  that  every  idle  word  that 
men  shall  speak,  they  shall  render  an  account  for  it 
in  the  day  uf  judgment.     Matt.  xii.  36. 
Words  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  Pharisees. 

I  sAir ;  T  will  take  heed  to  my  ways,  that  I  sin  not  with 


160  GOVERNMENT    OF    THE    TONGUE. 

my  tongue ;  I  have  set  a  guard  to  my  mouth,  when  the 
sinner  stood  against  me  ;  I  was  dumb,  and  was  humbled, 
and  kept  silence  even  from  good  things.  (Ps.  xxxviii. 
1—3,) 

There  is  one  that  holdeth  his  peace,  that  is  found  wise; 
and  there  is  another  that  is  hateful,  that  is  bold  in  speech. 
There  is  one  that  holdeth  his  peace,  because  he  knoweth 
not  Avhat  to  say ;  and  there  is  another  that  holdeth  his 
peace,  knowing  the  proper  time.  A  wise  man  will  hold 
his  peace  till  he  see  opportunity;  but  a  babbler,  and  a 
fool,  will  regard  no  time.  He  that  useth  many  words 
shall  hurt  his  own  soul.  Better  is  he  that  hideth  his  folly, 
than  he  that  hideth  his  wisdom.  The  heart  of  a  fool  is 
like  a  broken  vessel,  and  no  wisdom  at  all  shall  it  hold. 
(Eccles.  XX.  5 — 8,  33.  xxi.  17.) 

Speak  words  of  truth  and  sobriety.  (Acts  xxvi.  25.) 
The  best  word  is  the  word  in  due  season  ;  it  is  like  apples 
of  gold  inlaid  upon  a  silver  ground.     (Prov.  xxv.  11.) 

x\nd  if  any  man  think  himself  to  be  religious,  not 
bridling  his  tongue,  but  deceiving  his  own  heart,  this 
man's  religion  is  vain.  (James  i.  26.)  Let  your  conver- 
sation be  worthy  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  (Phil.  i.  27.) 
Some  mind  earthly  things,  but  our  conversation  is  in 
heaven,  from  whence  also  we  wait  for  the  Saviour,  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  will  reform  the  body  of  our  low- 
ness,  made  like  to  the  body  of  his  glory,  according  to  the 
operation  whereby  also  he  is  able  to  subdue  all  things 
unto  Himself.     (Phil.  iii.  20,  21.) 

The  tongue  is,  indeed,  a  little  member,  and  boasteth  great 
things.  Behold  how  small  a  fire  kindleth  a  great  wood ; 
and  the  tongue  is  a  fire,  a  world  of  iniquity.  If  any  man 
offend  not  in  word,  the  same  is  a  perfect  man;  he  is  able 
with  a  bridle  to  turn  about  the  whole  body.  (James  iii. 
2,  5,  6.) 


DANGER    OF    RICHES.  161 

He  that  will  love  life  and  see  good  days,  let  him  refrain 
his  tongue  from  evil,  and  his  lips  that  they  speak  no  gaile. 
Let  him  decline  from  evil,  and  do  good;  let  him  seek 
peace,  and  pursue  it;  because  the  eyes  of  the  Lord  are 
•upon  the  just,  and  his  ears  unto  their  prayers;  but  the 
countenance  of  the  Lord  is  against  them  that  do  evil 
things.     (1  Pe;.  iii.  10— 12.) 

Shun  profane  and  vain  speeches,  for  they  grow  much 
towards  impiety.  (2  Tim.  ii.  15.)  Let  your  speech  be 
always  in  grace,  seasoned  with  salt,  that  you  may  know 
how  you  ought  to  answer  every  man.  (  Col.  iv.  6.)  Speak,  not 
as  pleasing  men,  but  God,  who  proveth  our  hearts  ;  neither 
use  at  any  time  the  speech  of  flattery.     (1  Thess.  ii.  4,  5.) 

Dearly  beloved,  I  beseech  you  as  strangers  and  pil- 
grims, to  refrain  yourselves  from  carnal  desires,  which 
war  against  the  soul,  having  your  conversation  good 
among  the  Gentiles ;  that,  whereas  they  speak  against 
you  as  evil  doers,  considering  you  by  your  good  works, 
they  may  glorify  God  in  the  day  of  visitation.  (1  Pet. 
ii.  11,  12.) 


DANGER  OF  RICHES. 

Wo  to  you  that  are  rich,  for  you  have  your  con- 
solation.    St.  Luke  vi.  24. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

Thb  just  shall  see  and  fear,  and  shall  laugh  at  the  rich 
one,  and  say:  Behold  the  man  that  made  not  God  his 
helper;  but  who  trusted  in  the  abundance  of  his  riches, 
and  prevailed  in  his  vanity.     (Ps.  xli.  8,  9.) 

They  who  become  rich,  fall  into  temptation,  and  into 
the  snare  of  the  devil,  and  into  many  unprofitable  and 

14* 


162 


DANGER    OF    RICHES. 


hurtful  desires,  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and  per- 
dition. For  covetousness  is  the  root  of  all  evils;  which 
some  desiring,  have  erred  from  the  faith,  and  have  en- 
tangled themselves  in  many  sorrows.  Charge  the  rich  of 
this  world  not  to  be  high-minded,  nor  to  hope  in  uncertain 
riches,  but  in  the  living  God  (who  givelh  us  abundantly 
all  things  to  enjoy,)  to  do  good,  to  be  rich  in  good  works, 
to  distribute  readily,  to  communicate  to  others,  to  lay  in 
store  for  themselves,  a  good  foundation  against  the  time 
to  come,  that  they  may  obtain  true  life.  (1  Tim.  vi. 
9—19.) 

Go  to,  ye  rich ;  weep  and  howl  for  the  miseries  that 
shall  come  upon  you.  Your  riches  are  corrupted,  and 
your  garments  are  moth-eaten.  Your  gold  and  silver  are 
cankered,  and  the  rust  of  them  shall  be  for  a  testimony 
against  you,  and  shall  eat  your  flesh  like  fire.  You  have 
stored  up  to  yourselves  wrath  against  the  last  days. 
(James  v.  1 — 4.) 

As  the  flower  of  the  grass  shall  the  rich  man  pass 
away;  for  the  sun  rose  with  a  burning  heat,  and  parched 
the  grass,  and  the  flower  thereof  fell  off',  and  the  beauty 
of  the  shape  thereof  perished ;  so  also  shall  the  rich  man 
fade  away  in  his  ways  :  {James  i.  10,  11,)  in  one  hour  are 
so  great  riches  come  to  naught !     {Apoc.  xxi.  17.) 

But  piety  with  sufficiency  is  great  gain ;  for  we  brought 
nothing  into  this  world,  and  certainly  we  can  carry  nothing 
out ;  but  having  food,  and  wherewith  to  be  covered,  with 
these  we  are  content.     (1  Tim.  vi.  6 — 9.) 

Grace  to  you,  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and 
from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  I  give  thanks  to  my  God 
always  for  you,  for  the  grace  of  God  that  is  given  you  in 
Christ  Jesus ;  that  in  all  things  you  are  made  rich  in  Him, 
in  every  word,  and  in  all  knowledge,  as  the  testimony  of 
Christ  was  confirmed  in  you.     (1  Cor.  i.  3 — 6.) 


man's  TRUE    TREASURE.  163 


MAN'S  TRUE  TREASURE. 

Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  on  earth, 
where  the  rust  and  the  moth  consume,  and  where 
thieves  dig  through,  and  steal;  but  lay  up  for  your- 
selves treasures  in  heaven,  where  neither  the  rust 
nor  the  moth  doth  consume,  and  where  thieves  do 
not  dig  through,  nor  steal:  for  where  thy  treasure 
is,  there  is  thy  heart  also.     St.  Matt.  vi.  19 — 21. 

Words  of  our  blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  on   the  Mount. 

To  be  rich  towards  God;  (Luke  xii.  21)  to  be  rich  in 
good  works  ;  (1  Tim.  vi.  18)  to  be  rich  in  faith,  and  to  be 
heirs  of  the  kingdom  which  God  hath  promised  to  them 
that  love  Him :  (James  ii.  5.)  these  are  not  treasures  which 
the  rust  and  the  moth  consume,  and  which  thieves  dig 
through  and  steal:  (Matt.  vi.  19)  they  are  a  treasure  in 
heaven  that  faileth  not ;  (Luke  xii.  33)  the  glorious  riches 
of  God;  (Pro.  viii.  18)  the  faithful  reward  of  those  that 
sow  justice,  (Prov.  xi.  18)  and  lay  up  in  store  for  them- 
selves a  good  foundation  against  the  time  to  come,  that 
they  may  obtain  true  life.     (2  Tim.  vi.  19.) 

Be  ye  not  deceived;  God  is  not  to  be  mocked:  What 
things  a  man  shall  sow,  those  also  shall  he  reap  :  he  that 
soweth  in  the  flesh,  of  the  flesh  shall  reap  corruption ;  but 
he  that  soweth  in  the  Spirit,  of  the  Spirit  shall  reap  life 
everlasting.  (Gal.  vi.  7,  8.)  Thus  shall  we  be  heirs  of  the 
promise.  (Heb.  vi.  17.)  Fear  not  little  flock,  for  it  hath 
pleased  your  Father  to  give  you  a  kingdom.    (Luke  xii.  32.) 

They  who  would  become  rich,  fall  into  temptation,  and 
into  the  snare  of  the  devil,  and  into  many  unprofitable 
and  hurtful  desires,  which  drown  men  in  destruction  and 
perdition.    For  covetousness  is  the  root  of  all  evils  ;  which 


164  VALUE    OF    THE    SOUL. 

some  desiring,  have  erred  from  the  faith,  and  have  entan-    3'  ^ 
gled  themselves  in  many  sorrows.     But  thou,  O  man  of 
God,  fly  these  things.     (1  Tim.  vi.  9—1 1.)  ||v 

They  have  called  the  people  happy,  that  hath  these  things:  1 
but  happy  is  that  people  whose  God  is  the  Lord.     (^Ps. 
cxliii.  15.) 


VALUE  OF  THE  SOUL. 

What  doth  it  profit  a  man,  if  he  gain  the  whole 
world,  and  suffer  the  loss  of  his  own  soul?  Or  what 
exchange  shall  a  man  give  for  his  soul  ?  Matt, 
xvi.  26. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

They  that  trust  in  their  own  strength,  and  glory  in  the 
multitude  of  their  riches,  no  brother  can  redeem,  nor  shall 
man  redeem  ;  he  shall  not  give  to  God  his  ransom,  nor  the 
price  of  the  redemption  of  his  soul.     (Ps.  Iviii.  7 — 9.) 

Jesus  spoke  a  parable  to  the  multitude,  saying :  The 
land  of  a  certain  rich  man  brought  forth  plenty  of  fruits, 
and  he  thought  within  himself,  saying  ;  What  shall  I  do, 
because  I  have  not  where  to  lay  up  together  my  fruits  1 
and  he  said ;  This  I  will  do  :  I  will  pull  down  my  barns, 
and  will  build  greater,  and  into  them  will  I  gather  all  things 
that  are  grown  to  me,  and  my  goods.  And  I  will  say  to 
my  soul ;  Soul,  thou  hast  much  goods  laid  up  for  many 
years ;  take  thy  rest,  eat,  drink,  make  good  cheer.  But 
God  said  to  him ;  Thou  fool,  this  night  do  they  require 
thy  soul  of  thee,  and  whose  shall  those  things  be,  which 
thou  hast  provided?  So  is  he  that  layeth  up  treasure  for 
himself,  and  is  not  rich  towards  God.    (Luke  xii.  16 — 21.) 

A  grievous  evil  are  riches  kept  to  the  hurt  of  the  owner; 


THE    EVENGELICAL    COUNSEL.  105 

for  they  are  lo!=t  witli  very  great  affliction.  As  man  came 
forth  naked  from  his  mother's  womb,  so  shall  he  return, 
and  shall  take  nothing  away  with  him  of  his  labor.  What 
then  doth  it  profit  him  that  he  hath  labored  for  the  wind  ] 
{Ecdes.  iv.  6—8.  v.  9—15.) 

Say  to  the  faint-hearted  ;  Take  courage,  and  fear  not, 
behold,  your  God  will  bring  the  revenge  of  recompense: 
God  himself  will  come,  and  will  save  you.  Cast  away 
from  you  all  your  transgressions,  by  which  you  have  trans- 
gressed, and  make  to  yourselves  a  new  heart,  and  a  new 
spirit:  and  why  will  you  die,  O  house  of  Israel"?  For  I 
desire  not  the  death  of  him  that  dieth,  sailh  the  Lord  God; 
return  ye,  and  live.  (/sa.  xxxv.  4.  xviii.  31,  32.)  Now  to 
Him,  who  is  able  to  preserve  you  without  sin,  and  to  pre- 
sent you  spotless  before  the  presence  of  his  glory,  with 
exceeding  joy,  in  the  coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to 
the  only  God  our  Saviour  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord, 
be  glory  and  magnificence,  dominion  and  power,  before 
all  ages, and  now,  and  for  all  ages  of  ages.  Amen.  {Jude 
xxiv.  25.) 


THE  EVANGELICAL  COUNSEL. 

Be  you  perfect,  as  also  your  heavenly  Father  is 

perfect.     St.  Matt.  v.  48. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  and  Saviour,  in  his  Sermon 
on  the  Mount. 

And  behold  one  came  to  Jesus,  and  said  to  Him :  Good 
master,  what  good  shall  I  do,  that  I  may  have  life  ever- 
lasting 1  And  Jesus  said  to  him  :  If  thou  wilt  enter  into 
life,  keep  the  commandments.  .  .  The  young  man  saith  to 
Hira  :  All  these  have  I  kept  from  my  youth  ;  what  is  yet 


166  THE    EVANGELICAL    COUNSEL. 

wanting  to  me  1  Jesus  saith  to  him ;  If  thou  wilt  be  per- 
fect, go,  sell  what  thou  hast,  and  give  to  the  poor,  and  thou 
shalt  have  treasure  in  heaven  ;  and  come,  follow  me.  And 
when  the  young  man  had  heard  this  word,  he  went  away 
sorrowful ;  for  he  had  great  possessions.  Then  Jesus  said 
to  his  disciples  ;  Amen  I  say  to  you,  that  a  rich  man  shall 
hardly  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  And  again  I  say 
to  you ;  It  is  easier  for  a  camel  to  pass  through  the  eye  of 
a  needle,  than  for  a  rich  man  to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.  And  when  the  disciples  had  heard  this,  they 
wondered  very  much,  saying  ;  Who,  then  can  be  saved? 
And  Jesus,  beholding,  said  to  them  ;  with  men  this  is  im- 
possible, but  with  God  all  things  are  possible.  (Matt,  xix. 
16—26.) 

I  am  the  Almighty  God ;  walk  before  me,  and  be  perfect 
(^Gen.  xvii.  1.)  Thou  shalt  be  perfect,  and  without  spot 
before  the  Lord  thy  God.  (Deut.  xviii.  13.)  The  lawgiver 
shall  give  you  a  blessing,  you  shall  go  forward  from  vir- 
tue to  virtue.  (Ps.  Ixxxiii.  8.)  Restore  unto  me  the  joy  of 
thy  salvation,  and  strengthen  me  with  a  perfect  spirit. 
(Ps.  1.  14.) 

Walk  worthy  of  God,  who  hath  called  you  to  his  king- 
dom and  glory.  {Thes.  ii.  12.)  Let  the  man  of  God  be  per- 
fect, furnjshed  to  every  good  work.  (2  Tim.  iii.  17.)  This 
also  v/e  pray  for,  your  perfection.     (2  Cor.  xiii.  9.) 

The  mystery  which  hath  been  hidden  from  ages  and 
generations,  but  now  is  manifested  to  his  saints,  which  is 
Christ,  in  you  the  hope  of  glory,  whom  we  preach  admon- 
ishing every  man,  and  teaching  every  man  in  all  wisdom^ 
that  we  may  present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ  Jesus, 
Wherein  also  I  labor,  striving  according  to  his  working 
which  He  workeih  in  me  in  power.  ( Col.  i.  26 — 29.) 
Wherefore,  having  the  loins  of  your  mind  girded,  being 
sober,  hope  perfectly  for  that  grace  which  is  offered  you 


THE    LAMB   OF    GOD.  167 

at  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ ;  as  children  of  obedience, 
not  conformed  to  the  former  desires  of  your  ignorance ; 
but  according  to  Him  who  is  holy,  who  hath  called  you, 
be  you  also  holy  in  all  conversation.  For  it  was  written ; 
You  shall  be  holy,  because  I  am  holy.  (1  Pet.  i.  13 — 16.) 
For  the  rest,  brethren,  we  pray  and  beseech  you  in  the 
Lord  Jesus,  that,  as  you  have  received  from  us  how  you 
ought  to  walk  and  to  please  God,  so  also  you  would  walk 
that  you  may  abound  the  more.  (1  Thess.  iv.  1.) 


THE   LAMB  OF  GOD  WHO  TAKETH  AWAY  THE 
SINS  OF  THE  WORLD. 

John  saw  Jesus  coming  to  Mm,  and  he  saith ; 
Behold  the  Lamb  of  God  ;  behold.  He  who  taketh 
away  the  sin  of  the  world,     John  i.  29. 

Know  this,  that  you  were  not  redeemed  with  corruptible 
gold  or  silver,  but  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of 
a  lamb  unspotted  and  undefiled;  (1  Fet.  i.  18,  19,)  of  one 
despised,  and  the  most  abject  of  men,  a  man  of  sorrows 
and  acquainted  with  infirmity,  and  whose  look  was,  as  it 
were,  hidden  and  despised.  Surely,  He  hath  borne  our 
infirmities,  and  carried  our  sorrows ;  and  we  have  thought 
Him,  as  it  were  a  leper,  and  as  one  struck  by  God,  and 
afflicted.  But  He  was  wounded  for  our  iniquities.  He  was 
bruised  for  our  sins ;  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was 
upon  Him,  and  by  his  bruises  we  are  healed.  All  we  like 
sheep  have  gone  astray,  every  one  hath  turned  aside  into 
his  own  way,  and  the  Lord  hath  laid  upon  Him  the 
iniquity  of  us  all.  He  was  offered  because  it  was  his  own 
will,  and  He  opened  not  his  mouth ;  He  shall  be  led  as  a 
sheep  to  the  slaughter,  and  shall  be  dumb  as  a  lamb 


168  THE    LAMB   OF    GOD. 

before  his  shearer,  and  He  shall  not  open  his  mouth,  (ha, 
liii.  3—7,  24,  25.) 

Thou  hast  wearied  me  with  thine  iniquities.  I,  even  I, 
am  He  that  blotteih  out  thy  transgressions  for  mine  own. 
sake,  I  will  not  remember  thy  sins. 

We  see  Jesus,  who  was  made  a  little  less  than  the 
angels,  for  the  suffering  of  death,  crowned  with  glory  and 
honor ;  that,  through  the  grace  of  God,  He  might  taste 
death  for  all.  For  it  became  Him,  for  whom  are  all 
things,  and  by  whom  are  all  things,  who  had  brought 
many  children  into  glory,  to  make  the  author  of  their  sal- 
vation perfect  by  suffering.     (Heb.  ii.  9,  10.) 

Christ  hath  loved  us,  and  hath  delivered  himself  for  us, 
an  oblation  and  a  sacrifice  to  God,  for  an  odour  of  sweet- 
ness. (Eph.  V.  2.)  You  know  that  He  appeared  to  take 
away  our  sins,  and  that  in  Him  there  was  no  sin.  Who- 
soever abideth  in  Him,  sinneth  not.     (1  John  in.  5,  6.) 

And  I  saw,  and  behold  a  Lamb  standing,  as  it  were 
slain.  And  the  four  living  creatures,  and  the  four  and 
twenty  ancients  fell  down  before  the  Lamb,  having  every 
one  of  them  harps,  and  golden  vials  full  of  odours,  which 
are  the  prayers  of  the  saints.  And  they  sung  a  new  canticle, 
saying;  Thou  art  worthy,  O  Lord,  because  Thou  wast 
slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to  God  in  thy  blood,  out  of 
every  tribe,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation.  And  hast 
made  us  to  our  God  a  kingdom,  and  priests,  and  we  shall 
reign  on  the  earth.  And  I  saw,  and  I  heard  the  voice  of 
many  angels  round  about  the  throne,  and  the  living  crea- 
tures and  the  ancients ;  and  the  number  of  them  was  thou- 
sands of  thousands,  saying,  with  a  loud  voice ;  Worthy  is 
the  Lamb  that  was  slain,  to  receive  power,and  divinity,  and 
wisdom  and  strength,  and  honor,  and  glory,  and  benedic- 
tion. And  every  creature,  which  is  in  heaven,  and  on  the 
earth,  and  under  the  earth,  and  such  as  are  in  the  sea,  and 


WE    ALL   HAVE    SINNED.  169 

the  things  that  are  therein.  I  heard  all  saying  ;  To  Him 
that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb,  benediction, 
and  honor,  and  glory,  and  power,  forever  and  ever.  (^Apoc. 
V.  6—13.) 


WE  ALL  HAVE  SINNED. 

If  I  had  not  come,  and  spoken  to  them,  they 
would  not  have  sin ;  but  now  they  have  no  excuse 
for  their  sin.     John  xv.  22. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse 
on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

Behold,  I  was  conceived  in  iniquity,  and  in  sin  did  my 
mother  conceive  me.  (Ps.  iv.  7.)  The  imagination  of 
man's  heart,  is  evil  from  his  youth.  (^Gen.  viii.  21.)  We 
all  have  sinned,  and  do  need  the  glory  of  God,  being  justi- 
fied freely  by  his  grace,  through  the  redemption  that  is  in 
Jesus  Christ.  (Rom.  iii.  23,  24.)  Who  can  say  ;  My  heart 
is  clean,  I  am  pure  from  sinl  What  is  man  that  he  should 
be  without  spot,  and  he  that  is  born  of  a  woman  that  he 
should  appear  just "?  Behold,  among  his  saints  none  is 
unchangeable,  and  the  heavens  are  not  pure  in  his  sight. 
How  much  more  is  man  abominable,  and  unprofitable, 
who  drinketh  iniquity  like  water  1     (Job  xv.  14 — 16.) 

Every  man  is  tempted,  being  drawn  away  by  his  owa 
concupiscence,  and  allured.  Then  when  concupiscence 
hath  conceived,  it  bringeth  forth  sin ;  but  sin,  when  it  is 
completed,  begetteth  death.  (James  i.  15.)  For  the  wages 
of  sin,  is  death;  but  the  grace  of  God,  everlasting  life,  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  (Rom.  vi.  23.)  Wo  is  me  for  my 
destruction ;  my  wound  is  very  grievous !  But  I  said ; 
Truly,  this  is  my  own  evil,  and  I  will  bear  it.  (Jer.  x.  19.) 

15 


170  THE    GREATER    GLORY    OF    GOD. 

If  Thou,  0   Lord   shouldst  mark   iniquities,  Lord,  who 
could  stand  it]     (Ps,  cxxix.  3.) 

The  works  of  the  flesh  are  manifest ;  of  the  which  I 
foretell  you  as  I  have  foretold  to  you,  that  they  who  do 
such  things  shall  not  obtain  the  kingdom  of  God.  {Gal.  v. 
19,  21.)  To  the  sinner  God  hath  said ;  Why  dost  thou 
declare  my  justices,  and  take  my  covenant  in  thy  mouth ; 
seeing  that  thou  hast  hated  discipline,  and  hast  cast  my 
words  behind  thee  1  .  .  .  Thy  mouth  hath  abounded  with 
evil,  and  thy  tongue  framed  deceit ;  .  .  .  these  things  hast 
thou  done,  and  I  was  silent.  Understand  these  things, 
you  that  forget  God;  lest  he  snatch  you  away,  and  there 
be  none  to  deliver  you.     (Ps.  xlix.  16 — 22.) 


THE  FORGIVENESS  OF  SINS. 

Thy  sins  are  forgiven  thee.     Many  sins  are  for-  ' 
given  her,  because  she  hath  loved  much.     But  to 
whom  less  is  forgiven,  He  loveth  less.     Luke  vii. 

47,48. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  Mary  Magdalen. 

Behold,  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  not  shortened,  that  it 
cannot  save ;  neither  is  his  ear  heavy,  that  it  cannot  hear. 
But  your  iniquities  have  divided  between  you  and  your 
God,  and  your  sins  have  hid  his  face  from  you,  that  He 
should  not  hear.  This  people  draw  near  me  with  their 
mouth,  and  with  their  lips  glorify  me,  but  their  heart  is 
far  from  me.     (Isa.  lix.  1,  2.  xxix.  13.) 

If  the  people  sin  against  thee  (for  there  is  no  man  who 
sinneth  not,)  and  Thou  be  angry,  then  if  they  do  penance 
in  their  heart,  and,  being  converted,  make  supplication  to 
Thee,  saying :  We  have  sinned,  we  have  done  unjustly, 


THE    FORGIVENESS    OF    SINS.  171 

we  have  committed  wickedness  ;  and  return  to  Thee  with 
all  their  heart  and  all  their  soul,  then  hear  Thou  in  heaven, 
in  the  firmament  of  thy  throne,  their  prayers  and  their  sup- 
plications, and  do  judgment  for  them.  Forgive  thy  peo- 
ple that  have  sinned  against  Thee,  and  forget  all  their  ini- 
quities, by  which  they  have  transgressed  against  Thee ; 
and  give  them  mercy.     (2  Chron.  vi.  36 — 39.) 

As  I  live,  saith  the  Lord,  behold,  all  souls  are  mine  ;  as 
the  soul  of  the  father,  so  also  the  soul  of  the  son  is  mine ; 
the  soul  that  sinneth,  the  same  shall  die.   But  if  the  wicked 
do  penance  for  all  his  sins  which  he  hath  committed,  and 
keep  all  my  commandments,  and  do  judgment  and  justice, 
living  he  shall  live,  and  shall  not  die.    I  will  not  remem- 
ber all  his  iniquities  that  he  hath  done ;  in  his  justice 
which  he  hath  wrought  he  shall  live.     Is  it  my  will  that  a 
sinner  should  die,  saith  the  Lord  God,  and  not  that  he 
should  be  converted  from  his  ways,  and  live?  For  when 
the  just  turneth  himself  away  from  his  justice,  and  com- 
mitteth  iniquity,  he  shall  die  therein ;  in  the  injustice  that 
he  hath  wrought  he  shall  die.     And  when  the  wicked  turn- 
eth  himself  away  from   his  wickedness,  which  he  hath 
wrought,  and  doeth  judgment  and  justice,  he  shall  save 
his  soul  alive.     Because  he  considereth  and  turneth  away 
himself  from   all  his  iniquities,  which  he  hath  wrought, 
he  shall  surely  live,  and  not  die.    Therefore  will  I  judge 
every  man  according  to  his  ways,  O  house  of  Israel,  saith 
the  Lord  God.    Be  converted,  and  do  penance  for  all  your 
iniquities  ;  and  iniquity  shall  not  be  your  ruin.    Cast  away 
from  you  all  your  transgressions,  by  which  you  have  trans- 
gressed, and  make  to  yourselves  a  new  heart,  and  a  new 
spirit ;  and  why  will  you  die,  O  house  of  Israel  I     For  I 
desire  not  the  death  of  him  that  dieth,  saith  the  Lord  God, 
return  ye,  and  live.     {Eze.  xviii.  4,  &c.) 

I  write  to  you,  little  children,  because  your  sins  are  for- 


172  RELAPSE    INTO    SIN. 

given  you  for  his  name's  sake.  (1  John  ii.  12.)  Be  peni- 
tent, therefore,  and  be  converted,  that  your  sins  may  be 
blotted  out;  {Ads  iii.  19.)  where  sin  abounded,  grace  hath 
abounded  more.  That  as  sin  hath  reigned  unto  death,  so 
also  grace  might  reign  by  justice  unto  everlasting  life, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

Having,  therefore,  a  great  high-priest  who  hath  pene- 
trated the  heavens,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God,  let  us  hold  fast 
our  confession.  For  we  have  not  a  high-priest,  who  can- 
not have  compassion  on  our  infirmities  ;  but  one  tempted 
in  all  things  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin.  Let  us  go, 
therefore,  with  confidence  to  the  throne  of  grace,  that  we 
may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  in  seasonable  aid. 
{Heh.  iv.  12—16.) 


RELAPSE  INTO  SIN. 

Sin  no  rrwre,  lest  a  worse  thing  come  imto  thee, 
St.  John  v.  14. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Leper  whom  He  had  cleansed. 

Then  he  [the  man  out  of  ivhom  the  unclean  spirit 
had  gone]  goeth  and  taketh  to  himself  seven  other 
spirits  more  wicked  than  himself  and  entering  they 
dwell  there.  And  the  last  state  of  that  man  becometh 
worse  than  the  first.  St.  Luke  xi.  25,  26. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord:  If  you  walk  in  my  precepts,  and 
keep  my  commandments,  and  do  them,  I  will  give 
peace  in  your  courts,  and  I  will  establish  my  covenant 
with  you.  I  will  set  my  tabernacle  in  the  midst  of  you  ; 
and  my  soul  shall  not  cast  you  off.  I  will  walk  among 
you,  and  will  be  your  God,  and  you  shall  be  my  people. 


RELAPSE    INTO    SIN.  173 

But  if  you  will  not  hear  me,  nor  do  all  my  command- 
ments ;  if  you  despise  my  laws,  and  condemn  my  judg- 
ments, so  as  not  to  do  those  things  which  are  appointed 
by  me,  and  to  make  void  my  covenant ;  I  will  set  my  face 
against  you :  you  shall  flee  when  no  man  pursueth  you. 
And  if  yet  for  all  this,  you  will  not  obey  me,  I  will  chas- 
tise you  seven  times  more  for  your  sins.  If  you  walk 
contrary  to  me,  and  will  not  hearken  to  me,  I  will  bring 
seven  times  more  plagues  upon  you  for  your  sins.  And 
if  even  so  you  will  not  amend,  but  will  walk  contrary  to 
me ;  I  will  also  walk  contrary  to  you,  and  will  strike  you 
seven  times  for  your  sins.  But  if  you  will  not  for  all  this 
hearken  to  me,  but  will  walk  against  me  ;  I  will  also  go 
against  you  with  opposite  fury;  and  I  will  chastise  you 
with  seven  plagues  for  your  sins.  (Lev.  xxvi.  1 — 28.)  How 
exceedingly  base  art  thou  become,  going  the  same  ways 
over  again  !     (Jer.  ii.  36.) 

If  having  fled  from  the  pollutions  of  the  world  through 
the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  being 
again  entangled  in  them  they  are  overcome,  their  latter 
state  is  become  unto  them  worse  than  the  former.  For  it 
had  been  better  for  them  not  to  have  known  the  way  of 
justice,  than,  after  they  have  known  it,  to  turn  back  from 
that  holy  commandment,  which  was  delivered  to  them. 
For,  that  of  the  true  proverb  hath  happened  to  them :  The 
dog  is  returned  to  his  own  vomit,  and  the  sow  that  was 
washed,  to  her  wallowing  in  the  mire.    (2  Pet.  ii.  20 — 22.) 

If  we  sin  wilfully  after  having  received  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth,  there  is  now  left  no  sacrifice  for  sins,  but  a 
certain  dreadful  expectation  of  judgment,  and  the  rage  of 
a  fire,  which  shall  consume  the  adversaries.  A  man  mak- 
ing void  the  law  of  Moses,  died  without  any  mercy  under 
two  or  three  witnesses  ;  how  much  more,  do  you  think,  he 
deserveth  worse  punishments,  who  hath  trodden   under 

15* 


174  PENANCE. 

foot  the  Son  of  God,  and  hath  esteemed  the  blood  of  the 
testament  unclean,  with  which  he  was  sanctified,  and  hath 
offered  an  affront  to  the  Spirit  of  grace  1  for  we  know  Him 
who  hath  said  :  Revenge  belongeth  to  me,  and  I  will  repay. 
And  again :  The  Lord  shall  judge  his  people.  It  is  a 
dreadful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living  God ! 
{Heb.  X.  26—31.) 


PENANCE. 

Thus  it  is  written,  and  thus  it  behoved  Christ  to 

suffer,  and  to  rise  again  from  the  dead  the  third 

day;  and  that  penance  and  remission  of  sins  should 

be  preached  in  his  name  unto  all  nations,  beginning 

at  Jerusalem.     Luke  xxiv.  46,  47. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse  to 
them  immediately  before  his  Ascension. 

J  say  to  you  /  Unless  you  do  penance,  you  shall 
all  likewise  perish. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude. 

Behold,  all  souls  are  mine.  He  that  hath  walked  in 
my  commandments,  living  he  shall  live  ;  but  the  soul  that 
sinneth,  the  same  shall  die.  If  the  wicked  do  penance  for  all 
his  sins  which  he  hath  committed,  and  keep  all  my  com- 
mandments, and  do  judgment,  and  justice,  living  he  shall 
live,  and  shall  not  die.  I  will  not  remember  all  his  iniqui- 
ties that  he  hath  done.  Is  it  my  will  that  a  sinner  should 
die,  saith  the  Lord  God,  and  not  that  he  should  be  con- 
verted from  his  ways,  and  live  1  for  when  the  just  turneth 
himself  away  from  his  justice,  and  committeth  iniquity, 
he  shall  die  therein  :  in  the  injustice  that  he  hath  wrought 
he  shall  die.    And  when  the  wicked  turneth  himself  away 


PENANCE.  175 

from  his  wickedness  which  he  halh  wrought,  and  doeth 
judgment  and  justice,  he  shall  save  his  soul  alive.  Because 
he  considereth,  andturneth  away  himself  from  all  his  ini- 
quities which  he  hath  wrought,  he  shall  surely  live,  and 
not  die.  Are  not  ray  ways  right,  O  house  of  Israel,  and 
are  not  rather  your  ways  perverse  1 

Therefore  thus  saith  the  Lord  God ;  Be  converted,  and 
do  penance  for  all  your  iniquities,  and  iniquity  shall  not 
be  your  ruin.  (Eze.  xviii.  20 — 29.)  Be  converted  to  me 
with  all  your  heart,  in  fasting,  and  in  weeping,  and  in 
mourning;  rend  your  hearts,  and  not  your  garments,  and 
turn  to  the  Lord  your  God,  for  He  is  gracious  and  merci- 
ful, patient,  and  rich  in  mercy ;  who  knoweth  but  He  will 
return,  and  forgive,  and  leave  a  blessing  behind  Him. 
(Joelii.  12—14.) 

Seek  ye  the  Lord  before  his  fierce  anger  come  upon 
you,  before  the  day  of  his  indignation  come  upon  you. 
Seek  the  Lord,  if  by  any  means  you  may  be  hid  in  the  day 
of  his  indignation.  (Soph.  ii.  2,  3.)  And  when  thou  shalt 
seek  thou  shalt  find  Him ;  yet  so,  if  thou  seek  Him  with 
all  thy  heart,  and  all  the  affliction  of  thy  soul.  Because 
the  Lord  thy  God  is  a  merciful  God,  He  will  not  leave  thee, 
nor  altogether  destroy  thee.     (Deut.  iv.  29,  31.) 

The  Lord  dealelh  patiently  for  your  sake,  not  willing 
that  any  should  perish,  but  that  all  should  return  to  pen- 
ance. (2  Pet>  iii.  9.)  He  declareth  unto  men  that  all  should 
every  where  do  penance;  (Acts  xvii.  30;)  turn,  therefore, 
to  God,  and  do  works  worthy  of  penance.  (Acts  xxvi.  20.) 
I  reprehend  myself,  and  do  penance  in  dust  and  ashes. 

Job  xlii.  6.) 
Having  been  taught  to  put  ofi"  the  old  man,  be  renewed 

in  the  spirit  of  your  mind,  and  put  on  the  new  man ;  (Eph. 

iv.  21 — 24.)  repenting,  and  being  converted,  that  your  sins 

may  be  blotted  out.  (Acts  iii.  19.)     How  great  is  the  mercy 


176  PATIENCE. 

of  the  Lord,  and  his  forgiveness  to  them  that  turn  to  Him ! 
{Eccles.  xvii.  28.)  For  I  say  unto  you,  that  there  shall 
be  joy  in  heaven  upon  one  sinner  that  doth  penance,  more 
than  upon  ninety-nine  just  who  need  not  penance.  {Luke 
XV.  7.) 


PATIENCE. 

In  your  patience  you  shall  possess  your  souls, 
St.  Luke  xxi.  19. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

I  BESEECH  you  that  you  walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  in 
which  you  are  called,  with  all  humility  and  mildness,  with 
patience  supporting  one  another  in  charity ;  (Eph.  iv.  1, 2,) 
knowing  that  the  trying  of  your  faith  worketh  patience, 
and  that  patience  hath  a  perfect  work;  that  you  may  be 
perfect  and  entire,  deficient  in  nothing.  (James  i.  3, 4.)  But 
be  thou,  0  my  soul,  subject  to  God ;  for  from  Him  is  my 
patience ;  for  He  is  my  God  and  my  Saviour ;  He  is  my 
helper,  I  shall  not  be  moved.     (Ps.  xvi.  6,  7.) 

And  you  employing  all  care,  minister  in  your  faith, 
virtue,  and  in  virtue,  knowledge,  and  in  knowledge,  absti- 
nence, and  in  abstinence,  patience,  and  in  patience,  godli- 
ness, and  in  godliness,  love  of  brotherhood,  and  in  love  of 
brotherhood,  charity ;  for  if  these  things  be  with  you,  and 
abound,  they  will  make  you  to  be  neither  empty  nor  un- 
fruitful in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  (2  Pet. 
i.  5 — 8.)  And  we  beseech  you,  brethren,  comfort  the 
feeble-minded,  support  the  weak,  be  patient  towards  all 
men.     (1  Thess.  v.  14.) 

The  patient  man  shall  bear  for  a  time,  and  afterwards 
joy  shall  be  restored  to  him.  (Eccles.  i.  29.)    There  is  the 


THE    PATIENCE    OF    GOD.  177 

patience  of  the  saints,  who  keep  the  commandments  of 
God,  and  the  faith  of  Jesus.  (Apoc.  xiv.  12.)  Take,  my 
brethren,  for  an  example  of  suffering  evil,  of  labor,  and 
patience,  the  prophets,  who  spoke  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord.  Behold,  we  account  them  blessed  who  have  en- 
dured. You  have  heard  of  the  patience  of  Job,  and  you 
have  seen  the  end  of  the  Lord,  that  the  Lord  is  merciful 
and  compassionate.  Be  patient,  therefore,  brethren,  until 
the  coming  of  the  Lord.  Behold,  the  husbandman  waiteth 
for  the  precious  fruit  of  the  earth,  patiently  bearing  till  he 
receive  the  early  and  the  latter  rain ;  be  you,  therefore, 
also  patient,  and  strengthen  your  hearts  for  the  coming  of 
the  Lord.     (James  v.  7 — 11.) 


THE  PATIENCE  OF  GOD. 

Be  ye  merciful,  as  your  Father  also  is  merciful, 
and  you  shall  be  the  sons  of  the  Most  High,  who 
is  kind  to  the  unthankful,  and  to  the  evil.  Luke 
vi.  35,  36. 

Wards  of  our  Blessed  Loj-d  to  his  disciples. 

And  when  his  disciples,  James  and  John,  had 
seen  this  [the  refusal  of  the  Samaritans  to  receive 
Christ,]  they  said  to  him;  Lord,  wilt  Thou  that 
we  command  fire  to  come  down  from  heaven  and 
consume  them?  And  turning,  he  rebuked  them, 
saying ;  You  know  not  of  what  spirit  you  are. 
The  Son  of  man  came  not  to  destroy  souls,  but  to 
save.     Luke  ix.  54 — 56. 

The  Lord  is  patient  though  great  in  power.  (Nah.  i.  3.) 
God  is  a  just  judge,  strong  and  patient:  is  he  angry 
every  day?  (P«. vii.  12.)     I  know  that  thou  art  a  gracious 


178  THE    PATIENCE    OF    GOD. 

and  merciful  God,  patient,  and  of  much  compassion,  and 
easy  to  forgive  evil.  {Jonas  iv.  3.)  The  Lord  is  gracious 
and  merciful,  patient  and  plenteous  in  mercy.  The  Lord 
is  sweet  to  all,  and  his  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his 
works.     (Ps.  cxliv.  8,  9.) 

Our  fathers  dealt  proudly,  and  hardened  their  necks, 
and  hearkened  not  to  thy  commandments.  But  Thou,  a 
forgiving  God,  gracious  and  merciful,  long  suffering  and 
full  of  compassion,  didst  not  forsake  them.  Thou  gavest 
them  thy  good  Spirit  to  teach  them ;  they  were  filled,  and 
abounded  in  delight  in  thy  great  goodness;  but  they  pro- 
voked Thee  to  wrath,  and  departed  from  Thee,  and  threw 
thy  law  behind  their  backs;  and  they  killed  thy  prophets, 
■who  admonished  them  earnestly  to  return  to  thee,  and  they 
were  guilty  of  great  blasphemies.  And  thou  gavest  them 
into  the  hands  of  their  enemies,  and  they  afflicted  them 
And  in  the  time  of  their  tribulation  they  cried  to  thee,  and 
thou  heardst  from  heaven  ;  and  according  to  the  multitude 
of  thy  tender  mercies  Thou  gavest  them  saviours,  to  save 
them  from  the  hands  of  their  enemies.  But  after  they  had 
rest,  they  returned  to  do  evil  in  thy  sight;  and  Thou  didst 
leave  them  in  the  hand  of  their  enemies,  and  they  had  domi- 
nion over  them.  Then  they  returned,  and  cried  to  Thee,  and 
Thou  heardst  from  heaven,  and  deliveredst  them  many 
times  in  thy  mercies.  And  Thou  didst  admonish  them  to 
return  to  thy  law,  but  they  dealt  proudly,  and  hearkened 
not  to  thy  commandments,  but  sinned  against  thy  judg- 
ments ;  they  withdrew  the  shoulder,  and  hardened  their 
neck,  and  would  not  hear.  And  Thou  didst  forbear  with 
them  for  many  years,  and  didst  testify  against  them  by 
thy  Spirit,  by  the  hand  of  thy  prophets ;  and  they  heard 
not,  and  Thou  didst  deliver  them  into  the  hand  of  the 
people  of  the  lands.  Yet,  in  thy  very  many  mercies.  Thou 
didst  not  utterly  consume  them,  nor  forsake  them,  because 


ptlie 
bio' 

kar 

ilo 


15.) 
tel 


IMPEMTENCE.  179 

Thou  art  a  merciful  and  gracious  God.     (2  Esdras  ix. 
20—31.) 

We  know  that  the  judgment  of  God  is  according  to 
truth.  And  thinkest  thou  this,  O  man,  that  thou  shalt 
escape  the  judgment  of  God?  Or  despisest  thou  the 
riches  of  his  goodness,  and  patience,  and  long  suffering  1 
knowest  thou  not  that  the  benignity  of  God  leadeth  thee  to 
penance  1  But  according  to  thy  hardness  and  impenitent 
heart,  thou  treasurest  up  to  thyself  wrath  against  the  day 
of  wrath,  and  the  revelation  of  the  just  judgment  of  God, 
who  will  render  to  every  man  according  to  his  works.  To 
them,  indeed,  who  seek  glory  and  honor  and  incorruption, 
eternal  life ;  but  to  them  who  obey  not  the  truth,  wrath  and 
mdignation.     {Rom.  ii.  2 — 8.) 

Wherefore,  dearly  beloved,  be  diligent  that  you  may  be 
found  before  Him  unspotted  and  blameless;  and  account 
the  long  suffering  of  our  Lord  salvation.  (2  Pet.  iii.  14, 
15.)  May  the  Lord  direct  your  heart,  in  the  charity  of 
God,  and  in  the  patience  of  Christ ;  (2  Thess.  iii.  5,)  and  may 
the  God  of  patience  and  comfort  grant  you  to  be  of  one 
mind  one  towards  another,  according  to  Jesus  Christ;  that 
with  one  mind,  and  with  one  mouth,  you  may  glorify  God 
and  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     {Rom.  xv.  5, 6.) 


IMPENITENCE. 

/  go  my  way.,  and  you  shall  seek  tne,  and  you 
shall  die  in  your  sin.  John  viii.  21.  Except  you 
be  penitent,  you   shall  all  likewise  perish.     Luke 

viii.  3. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  to  the  Jews. 

When  the  just  man  turneth  himself  away  from  his 


180 


IMPENITENCE. 


justice,  and  committeth  iniquity,  he  shall.die  therein;  in 
the  injustice  that  he  hath  wrought,  he  shall  die.  (Eze.  xviiL 
3,  &c.)  Because  I  called,  and  you  refused ;  I  stretched 
out  my  hand,  and  there  was  none  that  regarded ;  because 
you  have  despised  all  my  counsel,  and  have  neglected  my 
reprehensions;  I  also  will  laugh  in  your  destruction,  and 
will  mock  when  that  shall  come  to  you  which  you  feared  ; 
when  sudden  calamity  shall  fall  on  you,  and  destruction, 
as  a  tempest,  shall  be  at  hand.  When  tribulation  and 
distress  shall  come  upon  you,  then  shall  they  call  upon 
me,  and  I  will  not  hear ;  they  shall  rise  in  the  morning, 
and  shall  not  find  me,  because  they  have  hated  instruction, 
and  received  not  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  nor  consented  to  my 
counsel,  but  despised  all  my  reproof;  therefore,  they  shall 
eat  the  fruit  of  their  own  way,  and  shall  be  filled  with 
their  own  devices.  (Pro.  i.  24—31.)  His  bones  shall  be 
filled  with  the  vices  of  his  youth,  and  they  shall  sleep 
with  him  in  the  dust.  (Job  xx.  11.)  The  sinner  treadeth 
the  wine  press  of  the  fury  of  the  wrath  of  God  the 
Almighty;  (Apoc.  xix.  15,  and  though  he  be  a  hundred 
years  old,  he  shall  be  accursed.     (Isa.  Ixv.  20.) 

Follow  holiness,  without  which  no  man  shall  see  God. 
Looking  diligently,  lest  any  man  be  wanting  to  the  grace 
of  God  ;  lest  any  root  of  bitterness  springing  up,  do 
hinder,  and  by  it  many  be  defiled  ;  lest  there  be  any  forni- 
cator, or  profane  person,  as  Esau,  who  for  one  mess  sold 
his  first  birth  right.  For  know  ye,  that  afterwards  when 
he  desired  to  inherit  the  blessing,  he  was  rejected;  for  he 
found  no  place  of  repentance,  although  with  tears  he  had 
sought  it.     (Heb.  xii.  14—17.) 

Thou  hast  loved  malice,  more  than  goodness,  and 
iniquity  rather  than  to  speak  righteousness ;  thou  hast 
loved  all  the  works  of  ruin,  O  deceitful  tongue.  There- 
fore will  God  destroy  thee  forever;  He  will  pluck  thee 


i'K 


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SELF-MORTIFICATION.  181 

out,  and  remove  thee  from  thy  dwelling  place,  and  thy 
root  out  of  the  land  of  the  living.  (Ps.  li.  5 — 7.)  For  it 
is  impossible  for  those  who,  having  been  once  enlight- 
ened, have  tasted  of  the  heavenly  gift,  and  been  made 
partakers  of  the  Holy  Ghost;  who,  moreover,  have  tasted 
the  good  word  of  God,  and  the  powers  of  the  world  to 
come,  and  are  fallen  away,  to  be  renewed  again  unto 
penance ;  having  again  crucified  to  themselves  the  Son 
of  God,  and  made  a  mockery  of  him.  And  as  they  wished 
not  to  have  God  in  their  knowledge,  God  delivered  them 
up  to  a  reprobate  sense.     (Rom.  i.  28.) 

His  fan  is  in  his  hand,  and  he  [J.  Christ,]  will  thoroughly 
cleanse  his  floor,  and  gather  his  wheat  into  the  barn ;  but 
the  chaff  he  will  burn  with  unquenchable  fire.  For  now 
the  axe  is  laid  to  the  root  of  the  trees.  Every  tree,  there- 
fore, that  yieldeth  not  good  fruit,  shall  be  cut  down,  and 
cast  into  the  fire.  (St.  Matt.  iii.  10,  12.) 
Words  of  St.  John  the  Baptist,  preaching  in  the  wilderness. 


SELF  -MORTIFICATION. 

The  kingdom  of  heaven  suffer eth  violence;  and 
the  violent  bear  it  away.     Matt.  xi.  12. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  on  occasion  of  his 
sending  them  on  their  mission. 

I  AM  delighted  with  the  law  of  God,  according  to  the  in- 
ward man  :  but  I  see  another  law  in  my  members,  fighting 
against  the  law  of  my  mind,  and  captivating  me  in  the 
law  of  sin,  that  is  in  my  members.  Unhappy  man  that  I 
am !  who  shall  deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  1 
(Rom.  vii.  22,  21.)     I  speak  a  human  thing,  because  of  the 

16 


182  SELF    MORTIFICATION. 

infirmity  of  your  flesh ;  for  as  you  have  yielded  your  mem- 
bers to  serve  uncleanness,  and  iniquity  unto  iniquity,  so  now 
yield  your  members  to  serve  justice,  unto  sanctification. 
What  fruit  had  you  then  in  those  things,  of  which  you  are 
now  ashamed]  For  the  end  of  them  is  death.  But  now 
being  made  free  from  sin,  and  become  servants  to  God, 
you  have  your  fruit  unto  sanctification,  and  the  end  ever- 
lasting life.  For  the  wages  of  sin,  is  death  ;  but  the  grace 
of  God,  everlasting  life,  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.  (^Rom, 
vi.  19—23.) 

If  we  have  been  planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  his 
death,  in  like  manner  we  shall  be  of  his  resurrection. 
Knowing  this,  that  our  old  man  is  crucified  with  him,  that 
the  body  of  sin  may  be  destroyed,  and  that  we  may  serve 
sin  no  longer.  Now  if  we  be  dead  with  Christ,  we  believe 
that  we  shall  live  also  together  with  Christ ;  knowing  that 
Christ  rising  again  from  the  dead,  dieth  now  no  more : 
death  shall  no  more  have  dominion  over  him.  For  in  that 
he  died  to  sin,  he  died  once  ;  but  in  that  he  liveth,  he  liveth 
unto  God.  So  do  you  also  reckon  yourselves  to  be  dead 
indeed  to  sin,  but  alive  to  God  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 
Let  not  sin  therefore  reign  in  your  mortal  body,  so  as  to 
obey  the  lusts  thereof.  Neither  yield  ye  your  members  as 
instruments  of  iniquity  unto  sin ;  but  present  yourselves 
to  God  as  those  that  are  alive  from  the  dead,  and  your 
members  as  instruments  of  justice  unto  God.  (Rom.  vi. 
5—13.) 

They  who  are  according  to  the  flesh,  relish  the  things 
that  are  of  the  flesh ;  but  they  who  are  according  to  the 
spirit,  mind  the  things  which  are  of  the  spirit.  For  the 
wisdom  of  the  flesh  is  death,  but  the  wisdom  of  the  spirit 
is  life  and  peace.  (Rom.  viii.  5,  6.)  And  every  one  that 
striveth  for  the  mastery  refraineth  himself  from  all  things : 
they  indeed  that  they  may  receive  a  corruptible  crown  j 


FASTING.  183 

but  we,  an  incorruptible  one.  I  therefore  so  run,  not  as 
at  an  uncertainty ;  I  so  fight,  not  as  one  beating  the  air ; 
but  I  chastise  my  body,  and  bring  it  into  subjection  ;  lest, 
perhaps,  when  I  have  preached  to  others,  I  myself  should 
become  reprobate.  (1  Cor.  ix.  25 — 27.)  If  you  live  accord- 
ing to  the  flesh,  you  shall  die,  but  if  by  the  spirit  you  mor- 
tify the  deeds  of  the  flesh,  you  shall  live.  (Rom.  viii.  13.) 
I  rejoice  in  my  sufferings  for  you,  and  fill  up  those  things 
that  are  wanting  of  the  sufferings  of  Christ,  in  my  flesh 
for  his  body,  which  is  the  church.     (Col.  i.  24.) 

Mortify,  therefore,  your  members,  which  are  upon  the 
earth;  fornication,  uncleanness,  lust,  evil  concupiscence, 
and  covetousness,  which  is  the  service  of  idols ;  put  away 
all  these  things,  stripping  yourselves  of  the  old  man  with 
his  deeds,  and  putting  on  the  new ;  him  who  is  renewed 
unto  knowledge,  according  to  the  image  of  Him  who 
created  him.     (Col.  iii.  5 — 10.) 

Always  bearing  about  in  our  body  the  mortification  of 
Jesus,  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus  may  be  made  manifest  iu 
our  bodies.  For  we  who  live  are  always  delivered  unto 
death  for  Jesus'  sake,  that  the  life  also  of  Jesus  may  be 
made  manifest  in  our  mortal  flesh.     (2  Cor.  iv.  10,  11.) 


FASTING. 


When  you  fast,  be  not  as  the  hypocrites,  sad. 
For  they  disfigure  their  faces,  that  they  may  appear 
unto  men  to  fast.  Amen  I  say  to  you,  they  have 
received  their  reward.  But  thou,  ivhen  thou  fast  est, 
anoint  thy  head,  and  wash  thy  face  ;  that  thou  up- 


184  FASTING. 

pear  not  to  men  to  fast,  but  to  thy  Father  who  is 
in  secret ;  and  thy  Father,  who  seeth  in  secret,  will 
repay  thee.     Matt.  vi.  16 — 18. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Why  have  we  fasted,  and  Thou  hast  not  regarded  ]  why 
have  we  humbled  our  souls,  and  Thou  hast  not  taken  no- 
tice 1  Behold,  in  the  day  of  your  fast  your  own  will  is 
found,  and  you  exact  of  all  your  debtors.  Behold,  you 
fast  for  debates  and  strife,  and  strike  with  the  fist  wickedly. 
Do  not  fast  as  you  have  done  until  this  day,  to  make  your 
cry  to  be  heard  on  high.  Is  this  such  a  fast  as  I  have 
chosen — for  a  man  to  afflict  his  soul  for  a  day  1  to  wind 
his  head  about  like  a  circle,  and  to  spread  sackcloth  and 
ashes  ?  wilt  thou  call  this  a  fast,  and  a  day  acceptable  to 
the  Lord  1  Is  not  this  rather  the  fast  that  I  have  chosen — 
to  loose  the  bands  of  wickedness ;  to  undo  the  burdens 
that  oppress ;  to  let  them  that  are  broken,  go  free ;  and 
to  break  asunder  every  bond '.'     (Jsa.  Iviii.  3 — 6.) 

Now  therefore  saith  the  Lord  ;  Be  converted  to  me  with 
all  your  heart,  in  fasting,  and  in  weeping,  and  in  mourn- 
ing; and  rend  your  hearts,  and  not  your  garments;  and 
turn  to  the  Lord  your  God,  for  He  is  gracious  and  merci- 
ful, patient  and  rich  in  mercy,  and  ready  to  repent  of  the 
evil.  Who  knoweth  but  He  will  return,  and  forgive,  and 
leave  a  blessing  behind  Him  1  Blow  the  trumpet  in  Sion  ; 
sanctify  a  fast ;  call  a  solemn  assembly ;  gather  together 
the  people;  sanctify  the  church;  assemble  the  ancients; 
gather  together  the  little  ones,  and  them  that  suck  at  the 
breasts  :  let  the  bridegroom  go  forth  from  his  bed,  and  the 
bride  out  of  her  bride-chamber.  Between  the  porch  and 
the  altar,  the  priests,  the  Lord's  ministers,  shall  weep,  and 
shall  say :  Spare,  0  Lord,  spare  thy  people  !  {Joel  ii.  1 2,  1 7.) 

A  man  that  fasteth  for  his  sins,  and  doeth  the  same 


CHRIST   JIATH    MADE    US    FREE.  185 

again,  what  doth  his  humbling  himself  profit  him  1  who 
will  hear  his  prayer?  (Ecclen.  xxxiv.  31.)  When  you  did 
eat  and  drink,  did  you  not  eat  for  yourselves,  and  drink 
for  yourselves  ]  and  when  you  fasted  and  mourned  in  the 
fifth  and  the  seventh  month  for  these  seventy  years,  did 
you  keep  a  fast  unto  me  ?     (Zach.  vii.  5,  6.) 

And  I  set  my  face  to  the  Lord  my  God,  to  pray  and  make 
supplication  with  fasting,  and  sackcloth,  and  ashes.  And 
I  prayed  to  the  Lord  my  God,  and  I  made  my  confession, 
and  said  ;  I  beseech  thee,  O  Lord  God,  great  and  terrible, 
who  keepest  the  covenant,  and  mercy  to  them  that  love 
thee  and  keep  thy  commandments,  we  have  sinned ;  we 
have  committed  iniquity;  we  have  done  wickedly,  and 
have  revolted,  and  have  gone  aside  from  thy  command- 
ments, and  thy  judgments  ;  we  have  not  hearkened  to  thy 
servants  the  prophets,  that  have  spoken  in  thy  name. 
O  Lord,  to  us  belongeth  confusion  of  face ;  but  to  Thee, 
the  Lord  our  God,  mercy  and  forgiveness ;  for  we  have 
departed  from  Thee.    (1  Dati.  ix.  3 — 9.) 


THE  FREEDOM  WHEREWITH  CHRIST  HAS 
MADE  US  FREE. 

Jesus  said  to  those  Jews  that  believed  him  ;  If 
you  continue  in  my  word,  you  shall  be  my  disciples 
indeed.  And  you  shall  knoiv  the  truths  and  the 
truth  shall  make  yon  free.  They  answered  him  ; 
We  are  the  seed  of  Abraham  ;  and  we  have  never 
been  slaves  to  any  man :  how  say  est  thou,  You  shall 
be  free.  Jesus  answered  them :  Amen,  amen  I  say 
tmto  you,  that  whosoever  committeth  sin,  is  the 
servant  of  sin.     If  therefore,  the  Soji  shall  make 

16* 


186  CHRIST    HATH    MADE    US    FREE. 

you  free,  you  shall  be  free  indeed.     St.  John  viii. 
31—36. 

Know  you  not,  that  to  whom  yon  yield  yourselves  ser- 
vants to  obey,  his  servants  you  are  whom  you  obey,  whe- 
ther it  be  of  sin,  unto  death,  or  of  obedience,  unto  justice. 
But  thanks  be  to  God  that  you  were  the  servants  of  sin, 
but  have  obeyed  from  the  heart,  unto  that  form  of  doctrine, 
into  which  you  have  been  delivered.  Being  then  made 
free  from  sin,  you  are  become  the  servants  of  justice.  I 
speak  a  human  thing,  because  of  the  infirmity  of  your 
flesh ;  for  as  you  have  yielded  your  members  to  serve  un- 
cleanness,  and  iniquity  unto  iniquity,  so  now  yield  your 
members  to  serve  justice,  unto  sanctification.  For  when 
you  were  the  servants  of  sin,  what  fruit  had  you  in  those 
things  of  which  you  are  now  ashamed?  For  the  end  of 
them  is  d^ath.  But  now  being  made  free  from  sin,  and 
become  servants  to  God,  you  have  your  fruit  unto  sancti- 
fication, and  the  end  everlasting  life.  For  the  wages  of 
sin,  is  death.  But  the  grace  of  God,  everlasting  life,  in 
Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.     {Rom.  vi.  16 — 23.) 

There  are  two  Testaments :  the  one  from  Mount  Sinai, 
that  bringeth  forth  unto  bondage,  which  is  Agar;  the 
other  that  of  Jerusalem  which  is  above,  and  which  is 
free ;  and  which  is  our  mother.  So  then,  brethren,  we 
are  not  the  children  of  the  bond-woman,  but  of  the  free : 
through  the  freedom  wherewith  Christ  has  made  us  free. 
{Gal  iv.  31.) 

Where  the  spirit  of  the  Lord  is,  there  is  liberty ;  (2  Cor. 
iii.  17.)  for  the  creature  also  itself  shall  be  delivered  from 
the  servitude  of  corruption,  into  the  liberty  of  the  glory  of 
the  children  of  God.     {Rom.  viii.  21.) 

Brethren,  you  have  been  called  unto  liberty;  only  use 
not  liberty  for  an  occasion  to  the  flesh ;  {Gal.  v.  13.)  prom- 


THE    GREATER   GLORY   OF    GOD.  187 

ising  yourselves  liberty,  when  you  yourselves  are  slaves 
of  corruptions :  for  by  whomsoever  a  man  is  overcome, 
of  the  same  also  he  is  the  slave.     (2  Pet.  ii.  16.) 

Be  ye  free,  not  as  making  liberty  a  cloak  for  haughti- 
ness, but  as  the  servants  of  God  ;  (1  Pet.  ii.  16.)  lest  per- 
haps, this  your  liberty  become  a  stambling-block  to  the 
weak :  for  when  you  sin  thus  against  the  brethren,  and 
wound  their  weak  conscience,  you  sin  against  Christ. 
(1  Cor.  ix.  12.) 

But  now,  after  that  you  have  known  God,  or  rather  are 
known  by  God,  how  turn  you  again  to  the  weak  and  needy 
elements,  to  which  you  desire  to  be  in  bondage  again  ? 
( Gal.  iv.  9.)  Stand  firm ;  and  be  not  held  again  under  the 
yoke  of  bondage.     {Gal.v.l.) 


THE  GREATER  GLORY  OF  GOD. 

/  receive  not  glory  from  men.  .  .  .  You  receive 
glory  one  from  another;  and  the  glory  which  is 
from  God  above,  you  do  7iot  seek.  I  seek  not  my 
own  glory  :  there' is  One  that  seeketh  and  judgeth. 
If  I  glorify  myself,  my  glory  is  nothing.  In  this 
is  my  Father  glorified,  that  you  bring  forth  very 
much  fruit,  and  become  my  disciples.  John  v.  41, 
44.  viii.  54.  xv,  8. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

Not  to  us,  O  Lord,  not  to  us,  but  to  thy  name  be  the 
glory  given.  (Ps.  cxiv.  1.)  Whatsoever  you  do,  do  it 
from  the  heart,  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not  to  men ;  knowing 
that  you  shall  receive  of  the  Lord  the  reward.  (Col.  iii. 
23,  24.)     Therefore,  whether  you  eat,  or  drink,  or  what- 


188  THE    GREATER   GLORY   OF    GOD. 

soever  else  you  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God.     (1  Cor.  x. 
31.) 

God  forbid  that  I  should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  to  me, 
and  I  to  the  world.     (Ga/.  vi.  14.) 

Many  of  the  chief  men  also  believed  in  Jesus ;  but  be- 
cause of  the  Pharisees  they  did  not  confess  it,  that  they 
might  not  he  cast  out  of  the  synagogue ;  for  they  loved 
the  glory  of  men,  more  than  the  glory  of  God.  (^John  xii. 
42,  43.) 

We  ought  to  obey  God  rather  than  men.     (Ads  vi.  29.) 
Words  of  St.  Peter  to  the  high  priest  and  elders. 

All  whatsoever  you  do  in  word  or  in  work,  do  all  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  giving  thanks  to  God  and 
the  Father  by  him.  Whatsoever  you  do,  do  it  from  the 
heart,  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not  to  men ;  knowing  that  you 
shall  receive  of  the  Lord  the  reward  of  inheritance.  Serve 
ye  the  Lord  Christ,  (Col.  iii.  17,  23,  24,)  knowing  that  no 
flesh  should  glory  in  his  sight,  of  whom  it  is  written ;  He 
that  glorieth,  let  him  glory  in  the  Lord.     (1  Cor.  i.  29,31.) 

Being  justified,  therefore,  by  faith,  let  us  have  peace 
with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  By  whom  also 
we  have  access,  through  faith,  into  this  grace  wherein  we 
stand,  and  glory  in  the  hope  of  the  glory  of  the  sons  of 
God.  (i2om.v.  1,2.)  Now  to  Him  who  is  able  to  preserve 
you  without  sin,  and  to  present  you  spotless  before  the 
presence  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy  in  the  coming 
of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ ;  to  the  only  God  our  Saviour, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  be  glory  and  magnificence, 
dominion  and  power  before  all  ages,  both  now  and  forever 
and  ever.  Amen.     (Jude  i.  24,  25.) 

Blessed  art  thou,  O  Lord,  the  God  of  our  fathers,  and 
worthy  of  praise  and  glory  forever. 


THE    CROSS    OF    CHRIST.  189 

And  blessed  is  the  name  of  Thy  glory,  which  is  holy, 
and  worthy  of  praise  and  glory  forever. 

Blessed  art  Thou  in  the  holy  temple  of  Thy  glory,  and 
worthy  of  praise  and  glory  forever. 

Blessed  art  Thou  upon  the  sacred  throne  of  Thy  king- 
dom, and  worthy  of  praise  and  glory  forever. 

Blessed  art  Thou  on  the  sceptre  of  Thy  divinity,  and 
worthy  of  praise  and  glory  forever.     (Dan.  iii.  52 — 57.) 


THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST. 

If  any  man  will  follow  me,  let  him  deny  him- 
self, and  take  up  his  cross,  and  follow  me.  Matt. 
X.  38.  He  that  taketh  not  wp  his  cross  and  fol- 
loweth  me,  is  not  tvorthy  of  me.  Mark  viii.  34. 
Whosoever  doth  not  carry  his  cross  and  come  after 
me,  cannot  be  my  disciple.     Luke  xxiv.  27. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Redeemer,  on  the  occasion  of  his  send- 
ing forth  his  twelve  apostles. 

God  keep  us  from  any  such  wickedness,  that  we  should 
revolt  from  the  Lord,  and  leave  off  following  his  steps  ! 
{Josue  xxii.  29.)  Christ  hath  suffered  for  us,  leaving  us 
an  example,  that  we  should  follow  his  steps.  (1  Pet.  ii. 
21.)  For  many  walk,  of  whom  I  have  told  you  often  (and 
now  tell  you  weeping,)  that  they  are  enemies  of  the  cross 
of  Christ;  whose  end  is  destruction.     {Phil.  iii.  18.) 

Christ  sent  me  to  preach  the  gospel,  not  in  wisdom  of 
speech,  lest  the  cross  of  Christ  should  be  made  void, — for 
the  word  of  the  cross,  to  them  indeed,  that  perish,  is  fool- 
ishness ;  but  to  them  that  are  saved,  it  is  the  power  of 
God.  But  we  preach  Christ  crucified,  to  the  Jews  a 
stumbling  block,  and  to  the  Gentiles,  foolishness ;  bat  to 


190  THE    FORCE    OF    PREJUDICE. 

them  that  are  called,  both  Jews  and  Greeks,  Christ  the 
power  of  God  and  the  wisdom  of  God.  (1  Cor.  — . 
17—  24.) 

And  I,  brethren,  when  I  came  to  you,  came  not  in  lofti- 
ness of  speech,  or  of  wisdom,  declaring  to  you  the  testi- 
mony of  Christ ;  for  I  judged  not  myself  to  know  any 
thing  among  you,  bat  Jesus  Christ,  and  Him  crucified. 
(1  Cor.  ii.  1,2.) 

Let  this  mind  be  in  you  which  was  also  in  Christ  Jesus ; 
who  being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it  not  robbery  to  be 
equal  with  God ;  but  emptied  himself,  taking  the  form  of  a 
servant,  being  made  in  the  likeness  of  men,  and  in  habit 
found  as  a  man.  He  humbled  himself,  becoming  obedient 
unto  death,  even  to  the  death  of  the  cross  ;  for  which 
cause  God  also  hath  exalted  Him,  and  hath  given  Him  a 
name  which  is  above  all  names;  that  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  those  that  are  in  heaven, 
on  earth,  and  under  the  earth.  {Phil.  ii.  5 — 10.)  Some 
desire  to  please  in  the  flesh,  that  they  may  not  suffer  the 
persecution  of  the  cross  of  Christ.  But  God  forbid  that  I 
should  glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  to  me,  and  I  to  the  world. 
{Gal\i.  12,  14.) 


THE  FORCE  OF  PREJUDICE. 

Judge  not  according  to  the  appearance^  hut  judge 
a  just  judgment.     St.  John  vii.  24. 

Words  of  our  blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Samukl  brought  forth  all  the  tribes  of  Israel,  and  the 
lot  fell  on  the  tribe  of  Benjamin.  And  he  brought  the 
tribe  of  Benjamin,  and  the  lot  fell  upon  Saul,  the  son  of 


THE    FORCE    OF    PREJUDICE.  191 

Cis.  They  sought  him,  therefore,  and  he  was  not  found. 
And  after  this  they  consulted  the  Lord,  whether  he  would 
come  thither.  And  the  Lord  answered  ;  Behold,  he  is 
hidden  at  home.  And  they  ran  and  fetched  him  thence, 
and  he  stood  in  the  midst  of  the  people ;  and  he  was 
higher  than  any  of  the  people  from  the  shoulders  and 
upward.  And  Samuel  said  to  all  the  people ;  Surely  you 
see  him  whom  the  Lord  hath  chosen,  that  there  is  none 
like  him  among  all  the  people.  And  all  the  people  cried 
and  said;  God  save  the  king !  But  the  children  of  Belial 
said;  Shall  this  fellow  be  able  to  save  nsl  And  they 
despised  him,  and  brought  him  no  presents.  (1  Sam.  x. 
30—27.) 

Jesus  coming  into  his  own  country,  taught  them  in  their 
synagogues,  so  that  they  wondered,  and  said ;  How  came 
this  man  by  this  wisdom,  and  these  mighty  works  1  Is 
not  this  the  carpenter's  son?  Is  not  his  mother  called 
Mary?  and  his  brethren,  James,  and  Joseph,  and  Simon, 
and  Jude  ?  And  his  sisters,  are  they  not  all  with  us  1 
Whence,  then,  hath  he  all  these  things  1  And  they  were 
scandalized  in  his  regard.  But  Jesus  said  to  them ;  A 
prophet  is  not  without  honor,  save  in  his  own  country, 
and  in  his  own  house.  And  he  wrought  not  many  mira- 
cles there,  because  of  their  unbelief.     (Matt.  xiii.  54 — 58.) 

Philip  findeth  Nathanael,  and  saith  to  him ;  We  have 
found  him  of  whom  Moses  in  the  law,  and  the  prophets 
did  write,  Jesus  the  son  of  Joseph  of  Nazareth,  And 
Nathanael  said  to  him;  Can  any  thing  of  good  come  from 
Nazareth?  Philip  saith  to  him;  Come  and  see.  (John 
i.  45,  46.) 

And  many  of  the  Jews  said;  He  [Christ,]  hath  a  devil, 
and  is  mad ;  why  hear  you  him  ?  Others  said ;  These  are 
not  the  words  of  one  that  hath  a  devil.  Can  a  devil  open 
the  eyes  of  the  blind  ?     (^Luke  xiv.  20,  21.) 


192  COUNSELS    AGAINST    ANGER. 


1 


The  ministers  said;  Never  did  man  speak  like  thisl'|, 
man.  The  Pharisees,  therefore,  answered  them;  Are  you  ,/ 
also  seduced?  Hath  anyone  of  the  rulers  believed  in 
him,  or  of  the  Pharisees  1  But  this  multitude  that 
knoweth  not  the  law  are  accursed.  Nicodemus  said  to 
them,  he  that  came  to  him  by  night,  who  was  one  of  them ; 
Doth  our  law  judge  any  man,  unless  it  first  hear  him, 
and  know  what  he  doth?  They  answered  and  said  to 
him ;  Art  thou  also  a  Galilean  1  Search  the  Scriptures, 
and  see  that  out  of  Galilee  a  prophet  riseth  not.  And 
every  man  returned  to  his  own  house.     (John  vii.  46 — 53.) 

At  my  first  defence,  no  man  stood  with  me,  but  all 
forsook  me:  may  it  not  be  laid  to  their  charge.  But  the 
Lord  stood  by  me,  and  strengthened  me,  and  will  preserve 
me  unto  his  heavenly  kingdom ;  to  whom  be  glory  forever 
and  ever.  Amen.     (2  Tim.  iv.  16 — 18.) 


COUNSELS  AGAINST  ANGER. 

You  have  heard  that  it  was  said  to  them  of  old; 
Thou  shalt  not  kill ;  whosoever  shall  kill,  shall  be 
guilty  of  the  judgment.  But  I  say  to  you,  that 
whosoever  is  angry  with  his  brother,  shall  be  guilty 
of  the  judgment ;  and  whosoever  shall  say  to  his 
brother  ;  Raca,  shall  be  guilty  of  the  council ;  and 
whosoever  shall  say  ;  Thou  fool,  shall  be  guilty  of 
hell  fire.  Therefore,  if  thou  offer  est  thy  gift  at  the 
altar,  and  there  shalt  remember  that  thy  brother 
hath  any  thing  against  thee,  leave  there  thy  gift 
before  the  altar,  and  first  go  to  be  reconciled  to  thy 
brother,  and  then  come  and  offer  thy  gift.  Make 
agreement  with  thy  adversary  quickly,  whilst  thou 
art  in  the  way  with  him  ;  lest,  perhaps,  the  ddver' 


COUNSELS    AGAINST    ANGEFu  193 

sary  deliver  thee  to  the  judge,  and  the  judge  deliver 
thee  to  the  officer,  and  thou  he  cast  into  prison. 
Amen,  I  say  to  thee,  thou  shalt  not  go  thence,  till 
thou  hast  paid  the  last  farthing.  St.  Matt.  v. 
21,  &c. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

The  discretion  of  a  man  is  known  by  his  patience,  and 
it  is  his  glory  to  pass  over  wrongs.  {Prov.  xix.  11.)  Re- 
venge not  yourselves,  my  dearly  beloved,  but  give  place 
Co  wrath;  for  it  is  written  ;  Revenge  is  mine,  I  will  repay, 
saith  the  Lord.  But  if  thy  enemy  be  hungry,  give  him  to 
eat ;  if  he  thirst,  give  him  drink ;  for  doing  this,  thou  shalt 
heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head ;  be  not  overcome  by  evil, 
but  overcome  evil  by  good.     (Rom.  xii.  19 — 21.) 

A  mild  answer  breaketh  wrath;  but  a  harsh  word 
stirreth  up  fury.  Cease  from  anger,  and  leave  rage,  have 
no  emulation  to  do  evil ;  for  evil  doers  shall  be  cut  oflf. 
Be  not  quickly  angry;  for  anger  resteth  in  the  bosom  of  a 
fool.  A  passionate  man  provoketh  quarrels ;  and  he  that 
is  easily  stirred  up  to  wrath,  shall  be  more  prone  to  sin. 
A  spirit  prone  to  anger,  who  can  bear  ]    (Prov.  xv.  1,  &c.) 

Be  angry,  and  sin  not;  let  not  the  sun  go  dovvn  upon 
your  anger.  Let  all  bitterness,  and  anger,  and  indigna- 
tion, and  clamor,  and  blasphemy,  be  taken  away  from  you, 
with  all  malice ;  and  be  ye  kind  one  to  another,  merciful, 
forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God  hath  forgiven  you  in 
Christ.     (Eph.  iv.  31,  32.) 

My  dearest  brethren,  let  every  man  be  swift  to  hear,  but 
slow  to  speak,  and  slow  to  anger ;  for  the  anger  of  man 
worketh  not  the  justice  of  God.  (James  i.  19,  20.)  Now, 
the  God  of  peace  be  with  you  all.  Amen.     (Rom.  xv.  33,) 

17 


194  SERVING   TWO   MASTERS. 


SERVING  TWO  MASTERS. 

No  servant  can  serve  two  masters  ;  for  either  he 
will  hate  the  one  and  love  the  other;  or  he  will  hold 
to  the  one,  and  despise  the  other :  you  cannot  serve 
God  and  mammon.     St.  Luke  xvi.  13. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude. 

Wo  to  them  that  are  of  a  double  heart,  and  to  wicked 
lips,  and  to  the  hands  that  do  evil,  and  to  the  sinner  that 
goeth  on  the  earth  two  ways.  A  heart  that  goeth  two 
ways  shall  not  succeed ;  and  the  perverse  of  heart  shall 
be  scandalized  therein.  (^Eccles.  ii.  1 4.  iii.  28.)  For  what 
participation  hath  justice  with  injustice  ?  or  what  fellow- 
ship hath  light  with  darkness  %  and  what  concord  hath 
Christ  with  Belial  ]  or  what  part  hath  the  faithful  with  the 
unbeliever  ?  And  what  agreement  hath  the  temple  of  God 
with  idols'?  (2  Cor.  vi.  14 — 16.)  You  cannot  be  partakers 
with  devils ;  you  cannot  drink  the  chalice  of  the  Lord,  and 
the  chalice  of  devils ;  you  cannot  be  partakers  of  the  table 
of  the  Lord,  and  of  the  table  of  devils.  (1  Cor.  x.  20,  21.) 
Now  therefore  fear  the  Lord,  and  serve  Him  with  a  perfect 
and  most  sincere  heart,  and  put  away  the  gods  which  your 
fathers  served  in  Mesopotamia  and  in  Egypt,  and  serve 
the  Lord.  But  if  it  seem  evil  to  you  to  serve  the  Lord, 
you  have  your  choice  :  choose  this  day  that  which  pleaseth 
you,  whom  you  would  rather  serve,  whether  the  gods 
which  your  fathers  served  in  Mesopotamia,  or  the  gods  of 
the  Amorrhites,  in  whose  land  you  dwell :  but  as  for  me 
and  my  house  we  will  serve  the  Lord.  And  the  people 
answered,  and  said ;  God  forbid  we  should  leave  the  Lord, 
and  serve  strange  Gods.    The  Lord  our  God  he  brought 


SERVING    TWO    MASTERS.  195 

US  and  our  fathers  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt,  out  of  the 
house  of  bondage,  and  did  very  great  signs  in  our  sight, 
and  preserved  us  in  all  the  way  by  which  we  journeyed, 
and  among  all  the  people  through  whom  we  passed  ;  there- 
fore we  will  serve  the  Lord,  for  he  is  our  God.  AndJosue 
said  to  the  people;  You  are  witnesses, that  you  yourselves 
have  chosen  you  the  Lord  to  serve  him.  And  they  an- 
swered :  We  are  witnesses.     {Jos.  xxiv.  14 — 22.) 

Love  not  the  world,  nor  the  things  that  are  in  the  world. 
If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  charity  of  the  Father  is  not 
in  him;  for  all  that  is  in  the  world,  is  the  concupiscence 
of  the  flesh,  and  the  concupiscence  of  the  eyes,  and  the 
pride  of  life,  which  is  not  of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world. 
And  the  world  passeth  away,  and  the  concupiscence 
thereof;  but  he  that  doth  the  will  of  God,  abideth  forever. 
(1  John  ii.  15—17.) 

Know  you  not,  that  to  whom  you  yield  yourselves  ser- 
vants to  obey,  his  servants  you  are  whom  you  obey,  whe- 
ther it  be  of  sin,  unto  death,  or  of  obedience,  unto  justice. 
But  thanks  be  to  God,  that  you  who  were  the  servants  of 
sin,   have   obeyed,  from   the   heart,  unto   that   form   of 
doctrine  into  which  you  have  been  delivered.     Being  then 
freed  from  sin,  we  have  been  made  servants  of  justice. 
But  they  that  are  according  to  the  flesh,  mind  the  things 
that  are  of  the  flesh  ;  but  they  that  are  according  to  the 
spirit,  mind  the  things  that  are  of  the  spirit.    For  the  wis- 
dom of  the  flesh,  is  death ;  but  the  wisdom  of  the  spirit, 
is  life  and  peace.    Because  the  wisdom  of  the  flesh  is  an 
enemy  to  God  ;  for  it  is  not  subject  to  the  law  of  God,  nei- 
ther can  it  be.    And  they  who  are  in  the  flesh,  cannot 
please  God.     {Rom.  vi.  16 — 18.  viii.  5 — 8.) 

Know  you  not  that  the  friendship  of  this  world,  is  the 
enemy  of  God  1  Whosoever  therefore  will  be  a  friend  of 
this  world,  becometh  an  enemy  of  God.     {James  iv.  4.) 


196  GOD  3EETH  ALL  THINGS. 

Grace  be  with  all,  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in 
sincerity.  Amen.     (2  Tim*  ii.  24.) 


GOD  WHO  KNOWETH  AND  SEETH  ALL  THINGS.   W 

The  Father   who    seeth  in    secret   will  repay. 
Matt.  vi.  4. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  mi  the  Mount. 

Jesus  knew  all  men  ;  He  knew  what  was  in  man.  (John 
ii.  24,  25.)  Lord  thou  hast  proved  me,  and  known  me; 
Thou  hast  known  my  sitting  down,  and  my  rising  up; 
Thou  hast  understood  my  thoughts  afar  off,  my  path  and 
my  line  Thou  hast  searched  out,  and  Thou  hast  foreseen 
all  my  ways.  Behold,  O  Lord,  Thou  hast  known  all  things, 
the  last  and  those  of  old ;  Thou  hast  formed  me,  and  hast 
laid  thy  hand  upon  me.  Thy  knowledge  is  become  won- 
derful to  me  ;  it  is  high,  and  I  cannot  reach  to  it.  Whither 
shall  I  go  from  thy  spirit?  or  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy 
face  ]  If  I  ascend  into  heaven.  Thou  art  there  ;  if  I  de- 
scend into  hell,  Thou  art  present;  If  I  take  the  wings  of 
the  morning,  and  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  sea, 
even  there  also  shall  thy  hand  lead  me,  and  thy  right  hand 
shall  hold  me.  And  I  said  ;  Perhaps  darkness  shall  cover 
me,  and  night  shall  be  my  light  in  my  pleasures.  But 
darkness  shall  not  be  dark  to  Thee  ;  and  night  shall  be  as 
light  as  the  day :  the  darkness  thereof,  and  the  light  thereof, 
are  alike  to  Thee.     (Ps.  cxxxi.  1 — 12.) 

Shall  a  man  be  hid  in  secret  places,  and  I  not  see  him, 
saith  the  Lord?  do  not  I  fill  heaven  and  earth,  saith  the 
Lord?  ( Jer.  xxiii.  24.';  I  blessed  the  most  High,  and  I 
praised  and  glorified  Him  that  liveth  forever;  for  his 
power  is  an  everlasting  power,  and  his  kingdom  is  to  all 


LIP-SERVICE.  197 

generations.  And  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are  re- 
puted as  nothing  before  Him  ;  for  He  doeth  according  to 
his  will,  as  well  with  the  powers  of  heaven,  as  among  the 
inhabitants  of  the  earth ;  and  there  is  none  that  can  resist 
his  hand,  and  say  to  Him  ;  Why  hast  Thou  done  it.  (Dan. 
iv.  31,  32.) 

O  the  depth  of  the  riches  of  the  wisdom  and  of  the 
knowledge  of  God  !  How  incomprehensible  are  his  judg- 
ments, and  how  unsearchable  his  ways  !  For  who  hath 
known  the  mind  of  the  Lord  1  or  who  hath  been  his  coun- 
sellor 1  or  who  hath  first  given  to  Him,  and  recompense 
shall  be  made  to  Him?  for  of  Him,  and  by  Him,  and  in 
Him  are  all  things :  to  Him  be  glory  forever.  Amen. 
(Horn.  xi.  33—36.) 


LIP-SERVICE. 

Well  did  Isaias  prophesy  of  you,  hypocrites^  as  it 
is  written :  This  people  honor eth  me  with  their  lips; 
but  their  heart  is  far  from  me.     Mark  vii.  6. 

Words  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees. 

TVlien  ye  pray,  you  shall  not  be  as  the  hypocrites, 
that  love  to  stand  and  pray  in  the  synagogues  and 
corners  of  the  streets,  that  they  may  be  seen  by  men: 
Amen  I  say  to  you,  they  have  received  their  reward. 
But  thou  when  thou  shall  pray,  enter  into  thy  cham- 
ber, and  having  shut  the  door,  pray  to  thy  Father  in 
secret ;  and  thy  Father,  who  seeth  in  secret,  will  re- 
pay thee.  And  when  you  are  praying,  speak  not 
much,  as  the  heathens,  for  they  think  that  in  their 
much  speaking  they  may  be  heard.  Be  not  you 
therefore  like  to  them,  for  your  Father  knoiveth  ivhat 

17* 


198  LIP-SERVICE. 

is  needful  for  you,  before  you  ask  Him.     Matt. 

vi.  5-— 8. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Loi^d  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

This  people  draw  near  to  me  with  their  mouth,  and  with  '\ 
their  lips  do  honor  me,  but  have  removed  their  heart  far 
from  me,  and  their  fear  towards  me  is  taught  by  the  pre- 
cept of  men.  Woe  unto  them,  whose  works  are  in  the 
dark,  and  who  say ;  Who  seeth  us  1  and  who  knoweth  us  ? 
{Isa.  XXX.  13,  15.)  The  children  of  thy  people  speak  one 
to  another,  every  one  to  his  brother,  saying  ;  Come,  I  pray 
you,  and  hear  what  is  the  word  that  cometh  forth  from  the 
Lord,  And  they  come  unto  thee,  and  sit  before  thee  as 
my  people  and  hear  thy  v/ords,  but  they  will  not  do  them ; 
for  with  their  mouth  they  show  much  love,  but  their  heart 
goeth  after  their  own  desires.  And,  lo !  thou  art  unto 
them  as  a  very  lovely  song  of  one  that  hath  a  pleasant 
voice,  and  can  play  well  on  an  instrument ;  for  they  hear 
thy  words,  but  they  do  them  not.  {Eze.  xxxiii.  30 — 32.) 

And  Moses  said  to  the  people  ;  The  Lord  heard  the  voice 
of  your  words,  when  ye  spake  unto  me ;  and  He  said  unto 
me ;  I  have  heard  the  voice  of  the  words  of  this  people, 
which  they  have  spoken  unto  thee  :  they  have  well  said  all 
that  they  have  spoken  !  0  that  there  were  such  a  heart  in 
them,  that  they  would  fear  me,  and  keep  ail  my  command- 
ments always,  that  it  might  be  well  with  them,  and  with, 
their  children  forever !     {Deut.  v.  28,  29.) 

When  you  stretch  forth  your  hands,  I  will  turn  away 
my  eyes  from  you;  and  when  you  multiply  prayer,  I  will 
not  hear.  (Jsa.  i.  15.)  Speak  not  any  thing  rashly,  and  let' 
not  thy  heart  be  hasty  to  utter  a  word  before  God.  For 
God  is  in  heaven,  and  thou  upon  earth ;  therefore  let  thy 
v/ords  be  few.     (Eccks.  v.  1.) 

Be  not  full  <>t  words  in  the  assembly  of  the  elders;  and 


n 


LIP-SERVICE.  199 

repeat  not  the  word  in  thy  prayer.  (Eccles.  vii.  15.)  Let 
not  that  man  think  that  he  shall  receive  any  thing  of  the 
Lord. 

They  loved  Him  with  their  mouth,  and  with  their  tongue 
they  lied  unto  Him,  but  their  heart  was  not  right  with 
Him ;  nor  were  they  counted  faithful  in  his  covenant. 
But  He  is  merciful,  and  will  forgive  their  sins.  (Ps.  Ixxvii. 
36 — 38.)  The  Lord  who  is  good,  will  show  mercy  to  all 
them,  who,  with  their  whole  heart,  seek  the  Lord  the  God 
'.of  their  fathers;  Give,  therefore,  your  hearts  and  your 
souls  to  seek  the  Lord  your  God.  (2  Paral.  xx.  18,  19.) 

Save  me,  O  Lord,  for  there  is  now  no  Saint ;  truths  are 
decayed  from  among  the  children  of  men.  They  have 
spoken  vain  things  with  deceitful  lips,  and  with  a  double 
heart  have  they  spoken.  The  Lord  will  destroy  all  deceitful 
lips,  and  the  tongue  of  those  who  have  said  :  We  will  mag- 
nify our  tongue ;  our  lips  are  our  own ;  who  is  Lord  over 
us  ]  (Ps.  X.  3—6.) 

And  Jesus  said  to  the  chief  priests,  and  people :  A  cer- 
tain man  had  two  sons  ;  and  coming  to  the  first,  he  said : 
Son,  go  work  to-day  in  my  vineyard.  And  he,  answering, 
said :  I  will  not.  But,  afterwards,  being  moved  with  re- 
•  pentance,  he  went.  And  coming  to  the  other  he  said  in 
like  manner.  And  he  answering,  said :  I  go  sir;  and  he 
went  not.  Which  of  the  two  did  the  father's  will?  {MatU 
xxi.  27—31.) 


200  GOD,  THE   SEARCHER  OF    HEARTS. 

GOD,  THE  SEARCHER  OF  HEARTS. 

God  knoweth  your  hearts,  for  that  which  is  high  j 
io  men,  is  an   abomination  before    God.     Luke 

xvi.  15. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Pharisees. 

And  the  Lord  said  to  Samuel;  I  judge  not  according  to 
the  look  of  man ;  for  man  seeth  those  things  that  appear, 
but  the  Lord  beholdeth  the  heart.  (1  Sam.  xvi.  7.)  O 
Lord  God!  hear  Thou  in  heaven,  in  the  place  of  thy 
dwelling;  and  do  to  every  one  according  to  his  ways,  as 
Thou  shalt  see  his  heart :  for  Thou  only  knowest  the  heart 
of  all  the  children  of  men.  (1  Kings  viii.  39.)  I  know  that 
Thou  canst  do  all  things,  and  no  thought  is  hidden  from 
Thee.  (Job  xlii.  4.)  Shalt  Thou  see  as  man  seeth  1  Are 
thy  days  as  the  days  of  man,  and  are  thy  years  as  the 
times  of  men  '^     (Job  x.  4,  5.) 

The  wickedness  of  sinners  shall  be  brought  to  naught, 
and  Thou  shalt  direct  the  just:  the  searcher  of  hearts  and 
reins  is  God.     (Ps.  vii.  10.) 

Shall  not  God  search  out  these  things'?  for  he  knoweth 
the  secrets  of  the  heart.  (Ps.  liv.  22.)  The  heart  is  per- 
verse above  all  things,  and  unsearchable,  who  can  know 
it  1  I  am  the  Lord  who  search  the  heart,  and  prove  the 
reins.     (Jer.  xvii.  9,  10.) 

For  the  word  of  God  is  living  and  effectual,  and  more 
piercing  than  any  two-edged  sword,  and  reaching  unto  the 
division  of  the  soul  and  the  spirit,  of  the  joints  also  and 
the  marrow,  and  is  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  in- 
tents of  the  heart.  Neither  is  there  any  creature  invisible 
in  his  sight;  but  all  things  are  naked  and  open  to  his 
eyes.     (Heb.  iv.  12,  13.) 

Blessed  be  the  Lord,  the  God  of  Israel,  from  eternity  to 
eternity.    So  be  it;  so  be  it !     (Ps.  xl.  14.) 


THE    NARROW    WAY.  201 


THE  NARROW  WAY. 

Enter  ye  in  at  the  narrow  gate  ;  for  wide  is  the 
gate,  and  broad  is  the  ivay  that  leadeth  to  destruc- 
tion ;  and  many  there  are  who  enter  by  it.  Hoio 
narrow  is  the  gate,  and  strait  the  way,  which 
leadeth  to  life,  and  few  there  are  ivho  find  it.  St. 
Matt.  vii.  13,  14. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

You  walked  according  to  the  course  of  this  world,  ful- 
filling the  will  of  the  flesh,  and  were  by  nature  the  chil- 
dren of  wrath.  But  God,  who  is  rich  in  merc)',  through 
the  exceeding  charity  with  which  he  loved  us,  even  when 
we  were  dead  in  sins,  hath  quickened  us  together  in 
Christ,  by  whose  grace  you  are  saved ;  that  He  might 
show  the  abundant  riches  of  his  grace,  in  goodness  upon 
us  in  Jesus  Christ.     {Eph.  ii.  2 — 7.) 

Let  thy  eyes  look  strait  on,  and  let  thy  eyelids  go  be- 
fore thy  steps  ;  make  strait  the  path  for  thy  feet,  and  all 
thy  ways  shall  be  established.     (Prov.  iv.  25,  26.) 

This  is  the  way,  walk  ye  in  it ;  and  go  not  aside  either 
to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left.     (Isa.  xxx.  21.) 

If  you  walk  in  my  precepts,  and  keep  my  command- 
ments, and  do  them,  I  will  walk  among  you,  and  will  be 
your  God,  and  you  shall  be  my  people.  But  if  you  walk 
contrary  to  me,  and  will  not  hearken  to  me,  I  will  bring 
seven  times  more  plagues  upon  you  for  your  sins.  I  also 
will  walk  contrary  to  you,  and  will  strike  you  seven  times 
for  your  sins.     (Lev.  xxvi.  3,  12,  21,  24.) 

If  thou  wilt  walk  in  the  ways  of  thy  own  heart,  and  in 
(the  sight  of  thine  eyes,  know,  that  for  all  these  things  God 
will  bring  thee  into  judgment,     (Eccles.  xi.  9.) 


202  ON    COVETOUSNESS. 

See,  therefore,  brethren,  how  you  walk  circumspectly ;  V 
not  as  unwise,  but  as  wise :  redeeming  the  time,  because  J^"! 
the  days  are  evil.     {EpL  v.  15,  16.) 


ON  COVETOUSNESS. 

Take  heed,  and  beware  of  all  covetousness  ;  for 
a  man's  life  doth  not  consist  in  the  abundance  of 
the  things  which  he  possesseth.     St.  Luke  xii.  15. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude. 

A  COVETOUS  man  shall  not  be  satisfied  with  money; 
and  he  that  loveth  riches  shall  reap  no  fruit  from  them ; 
it  is  vanity.  What  doth  it  profit  the  man  to  look  on  his. 
riches ;  Sleep  is  sweet  to  the  laboring  man,  but  the  ful- 
ness of  the  rich  will  not  suffer  him  to  sleep.  {Eccks.  v. 
9—12.) 

Labor  not  to  be  rich ;  set  bounds  to  thy  own  desires. 
Lift  not  thy  eyes  to  riches  which  thou  canst  not  have; 
because  they  shall  make  to  themselves  wings,  and  fly  as 
an  eagle  towards  heaven.  {Prov.  xxiii.  4,  5.)  For  the 
iniquity  of  the  covetous  was  I  wroth,  and  I  smote  him ;  I 
hid  my  face  from  him,  and  was  angry,  and  he  went  on 
frowardly  in  the  way  of  his  own  heart.  {Isa.  Ivii.  37.)  My 
feet  were  almost  moved,  my  steps  had  well  nigh  slipt,  be- 
cause I  had  a  zeal  on  occasion  of  the  wicked,  seeing  the  \ 
prosperity  of  sinners.  Their  pride  held  them  fast;  they 
are  covered  with  their  iniquity  and  their  wickedness. 
Their  iniquity  hath  come  forth,  as  it  were,  from  fatness ;  it 
hath  passed  into  the  affection  of  their  heart.  They  have 
thought  and  spoken  wickedness  ;  they  have  spoken 
iniquity  on  high.    They  have   set  their  mouth  against 


RENOUNCING   ALL    FOR   CHRIST.  203 

heaven^  and  have  said ;  How  doth  God  know  1  and  is 
there  knowledge  in  the  Most  High  1 

Behold,  these  are  sinners ;  and  yet,  abounding  in  the 
world,  they  have  obtained  riches.  And  I  said;  Then 
have  I  in  vain  justified  my  heart,  and  washed  my  hands 
among  the  innocent.  I  studied  that  I  might  know  this 
thing;  it  is  a  labor  in  my  sight,  until  I  go  into  the  sanc- 
tuary of  God,  and  understand  concerning  their  last  ends. 
But,  indeed,  for  their  delusion  Thou  hast  put  it  into  them ; 
when  they  were  lifted  up,  Thou  hast  cast  them  down. 
How  are  they  brought  to  desolation !  they  have  suddenly 
ceased  to  be;  they  have  perished  by  reason  of  their 
iniquity.  As  the  dream  of  them  that  awake,  0  Lord,  so 
in  thy  city  Thou  shalt  bring  their  image  to  nothing.  For 
behold,  they  that  go  far  from  Thee  shall  perish  ;  Thou  has* 
destroyed  all  them  that  are  disloyal  to  Thee.  (Ps.  Ixxii. 
2—27.) 

Let  your  manners  be  without  covetousness,  contented 
with  such  things  as  you  have  ;  for  He  hath  said ;  I  will 
not  leave  thee,  neither  will  I  forsake  thee.     (^Heb.  xiii.  5.) 


RENOUNCING  ALL  FOR  CHRIST. 

Peter  said  to  Jesus;  Behold^  we  have  left  all 
things,  and  have  followed  thee.  And  Jesus  said  to 
them;  Amen  I  say  to  you,  there  is  no  man  that  hath 
left  house^or parents,  or  bxethren,or  wife,  or  children, 
for  the  kingdom  of  God's  sake,  who  shall  not  receive 
much  more  in  this  present  time,  and  in  the  world  to 
come,  life  everlasting.     Every  one  of  you  that  doth 


204  RENOUNCING    ALL    FOR   CHRIST. 

not  renounce  all  that  he  possesseth,  cannot  be  my 
disciple.     St.  Luke  xiv.  33.  xviii.  28 — 30. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

He  who  hath  said  to  his  father,  and  to  his  mother ;  I 
know  you  not ;  and  to  his  brethren,  I  know  you  not ;  and 
their  own  children  they  who  have  not  known ;  these  have 
kept  thy  word,  and  observed  thy  covenant.  (Deut.  xxxiii.  9.) 

Christ  died  for  all,  that  they  also  who  live,  may  not  now 
live  to  themselves,  but  to  Him  who  died  for  them,  and  rose 
again.  Wherefore  henceforth  we  know  no  man  accord- 
ing to  the  flesh.     (1  Cor.  v.  15,  16.) 

Jesus  said  to  his  disciples ;  If  any  man  will  come  after 
me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross,  and  follow 
me.  For  he  that  will  save  his  life,  shall  lose  it ;  and  he 
that  shall  lose  his  life  for  my  sake,  shall  find  it.  For  what 
doth  it  profit  a  man,  if  he  gain  the  whole  world,  and  suffer 
the  loss  of  his  own  soul  ]  Or  what  exchange  shall  a  man 
give  for  his  soul  ■?  For  the  Son  of  man  shall  come  in  the 
glory  of  his  Father  with  his  Angels,  and  then  will  he 
render  to  every  man  according  to  his  works.  (^Matt.  xvi. 
24—27.) 

They  who  are  Christ's  have  crucified  their  flesh,  with 
its  vices  and  concupiscences.  (^Gal.  v.  24.)  I  am  dead  to 
the  Jaw,  that  I  may  live  to  God;  with  Christ  I  am  nailed 
to  the  cross ;  (^Gal.  ii.  19.)  bearing  the  marks  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  in  my  body.  {Eph.  vi.  17.)  And  I  live,  now  not  I; 
but  Christ  liveth  in  me.  And  that  I  live  now  in  the  flesh, 
I  live  in  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me,  and 
delivered  himself  for  me.     (Ga/.  ii.  20.) 

The  things  that  were  gain  to  me,  the  same  I  have  counted 
loss  for  Christ.  Farthermore  I  count  all  things  to  be  but 
loss,  for  the  excellent  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  my  Lord; 
for  whom  I  have  suifered  the  loss  of  all  things,  and  count 


SPIRITUAL   MINDEDNESS.  205 

them  but  as  dung,  that  I  may  gain  Christ ;  And  may  be 
found  in  him,  not  having  my  justice,  which  is  of  the  law,  but 
that  which  is  of  the  faith  of  Christ  Jesus,  which  is  of  God, 
justice  in  faith  ;  that  I  may  know  Him,  and  the  power  of 
his  resurrection,  and  the  fellowship  of  his  sufferings,  being 
made  conformable  to  his  death.     {Phil.  iii.  7 — 10.) 

You  have  begun  not  only  to  do,  but  also  to  be  willing, 
now  therefore  perform  ye  it  also  indeed ;  that,  as  your 
mind  is  forward  to  be  willing,  so  it  may  be  also  to  per- 
form, out  of  that  which  you  have.  For  if  the  will  be  for- 
ward, it  is  accepted  according  to  that  which  a  man  hath, 
not  according  to  that  which  he  hath  not.  (2  Cor.  viii. 
10—12.) 

The  grace  of  God  our  Saviour  hath  appeared  to  all  men, 
instructing  us  that,  denying  ungodliness  and  worldly  de- 
sires, we  should  live  soberly,  and  justly,  and  godly  in  this 
world.  Looking  for  the  blessed  hope  and  coming  of  the 
glory  of  the  great  God  and  our  SavioT;^'^  Jesus  Christ,  who 
gave  himself  for  us,  that  He  might  redeem  us  from  all 
iniquity,  and  might  cleanse  to  himself  a  people  acceptable, 
a  pursuer  of  good  works.  (Tit.  ii.  11 — 14.)  They  over- 
came by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  by  the  word  of  the 
testimony,  and  they  loved  not  their  lives  unto  death. 
(Apoc.  xii.  12.) 


SPIRITUAL  MINDEDNESS. 

Woman,  believe  me  that  the  hour  cometh,  when 
you  shall  neither  on  this  mountain,  nor  in  Jerusa- 
lem adore  the  Father.  But  the  hour  cometh,  and 
now  is,  when  the  true  adorers  shall  adore  the  Father 
in  spirit  and  in  truth.     For  the  Father  also  seeketh 

18 


206  SPIRITUAL   MINDEDNESS. 

such  to  adore  him.     God  is  a  spirit,  and  they  that 
adore  Him  must  adore  Him  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  to  the  Samaritan  woman  at 

Jacob's  Well. 

If  you  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  the  things  that  are 
above;  where  Christ  is  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God. 
Mind  the  things  that  are  above,  not  the  things  that  are 
upon  the  earth  ;  for  you  are  dead,  and  your  life  is  hid  with 
Christ  in  God.  When  Christ  shall  appear,  who  is  your 
life,  then  you  also  shall  appear  with  Him  in  glory.  {Col. 
iii.  1 — 4.) 

The  law  of  the  spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus,  hath  deliv- 
ered me  from  the  law  of  sin  and  of  death.  For  what  the 
law  could  not  do,  in  that  it  was  weak  through  the  flesh, 
God  sending  his  own  Son,  in  the  likeness  of  sinful  flesh, 
hath  done,  condemning  sin  in  the  flesh,  that  the  justifica- 
tion of  the  law  might  be  fulfilled  in  us,  who  walk  not 
according  to  the  flesh,  but  according  to  the  spirit.  For 
they  that  are  according  to  the  flesh,  mind  the  things  that 
are  of  the  flesh ;  but  they  that  are  according  to  the  spirit, 
mind  the  things  that  are  of  the  spirit.  For  the  wisdom  of 
the  flesh,  is  death  ;  but  the  wisdom  of  the  spirit,  is  life  and 
peace.  Because  the  wisdom  of  the  flesh  is  an  enemy  to 
God:  for  if  any  man  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  he  is 
none  of  his.  If  you  live  according  to  the  flesh,  you  shall 
die ;  bat  if  by  the  spirit,  you  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  flesh, 
you  shall  live.  For  whosoever  are  led  by  the  Spirit  of 
God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God.     (Rom.  viii.  2 — 14.) 

Be  not  deceived,  God  is  not  to  be  mocked,  for  what 
things  a  man  sliall  sow,  those  also  shall  he  reap.  He  that 
soweth  in  his  flesh,  of  the  flesh  also  shall  reap  corruption  ; 
but  he  that  soweth  in  the  spirit,  of  the  spirit  shall  reap  life 


CHRIST,  THE    TRUE    GOD.  207 

everlasting.  {Eph.  vi.  7,  8.)  I  say  then :  Walk  in  the 
Spirit,  and  you  shall  not  fulfil  the  lusts  of  the  flesh ;  {Gal. 
V.  16.)  flying  the  corruption  of  that  concupiscence  which 
is  in  the  world.     (2  Pet,  i.  4.) 

Put  ofl",  according  to  the  former  conversation,  the  old 
man,  who  is  corrupted  according  to  the  desires  of  error. 
And  be  ye  renewed  in  the  spirit  of  your  mind,  and  put  on 
the  new  man,  who,  according  to  God,  is  created  in  justice, 
and  holiness  of  truth.  {Eph.  iv.  22 — 24.)  But  our  con- 
versation is  in  heaven,  from  whence  also  we  look  for  the 
Saviour,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  will  reform  the  body 
of  our  lowness,  made  like  to  the  body  of  his  glorj',  accord- 
ing to  the  operation  whereby  also  He  is  able  to  subdue  all 
things  unto  Himself.     (Phil.  iii.  20,  21.) 

He  that  is  of  the  earth,  of  the  earth  he  is,  and  of  the 
earth  he  speaketh.  (John.  iii.  31.)  The  first  man  was  of 
the  earth,  earthly ;  the  second  man,  from  heaven,  heavenly. 
Such  as  is  the  earthly,  such  also  are  the  earthly ;  and  such 
as  is  the  heavenly,  such  also  are  they  that  are  heavenly. 
Therefore,  as  we  have  borne  the  image  of  the  earthly,  let 
us  bear  also  the  image  of  the  heavenly.  (1  Cor.  xv.  47 — 49.) 


JESUS  CHRIST  TRUE  GOD,  EQUAL  WITH  THE 

FATHER. 

Jesus  saith  to  Thomas :  No  man  cometh  to  the 
Father^  hut  by  me.  If  you  had  known  me,  you 
would  surely  have  known  my  Father  also:  and 
from  henceforth  you  shall  know  Him;  and  you 
have  seen  Him.  Philip  saith  to  him:  Lord,  show 
us  the  Father,  and  it  is  enough  for  us.  Jesus  saith 
to  him :  Have  I  been  so  long  a  time  with  you,  and 
have  you  not  known  me?  Philip,  he  that  seefh  me, 


208  CHRIST,  TIIE    TRUE    GOD. 

seeth  the  Father  also.  How  say  est  thou,  show  us 
the  Father  ?  Do  you  not  believe,  that  I  am  in  the 
Father,  and  the  Father  in  me  ?  The  words  that  I 
speak  to  you,  I  speak  not  of  myself.  But  the  Father 
who  abideth  in  me,  he  doth  the  works.  Believe  you 
not  that  I  am  in  the  Father,  and  the  Father  in  me  ? 
Otherwise,  believe  for  the  works  themselves.  John 
xiv.  6-— 12. 

Behold,  I  send  my  Angel,  [my  messenger  John  the 
Baptist]  and  he  shall  prepare  the  way  before  my  face. 
And  presently  the  Lord  whom  you  seek,  and  the  Angel 
of  the  testament  whom  you  desire,  shall  come  to  his  tem- 
ple. Behold,  he  cometh,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts  ;  and  they 
shall  offer  sacrifices  to  the  Lord  in  justice.  And  the  sacri- 
fice of  Juda  and  of  Jerusalem  shall  please  the  Lord,  as  in 
the  days  of  old,  and  in  the  ancient  years.  (^Mal.  iii.  J,  4.) 

Behold,  the  days  come,  saith  the  Lord,  that  I  will  per- 
form the  good  word  thai  I  have  spoken  to  the  house  of 
Israel,  and  to  the  house  of  Jada.  In  those  days,  and  at 
that  time,  I  will  make  the  Bud  of  Justice  to  spring  forth; 
and  He  shall  do  judgment  and  justice  in  the  earth.  In 
those  days  shall  Juda  be  saved,  and  this  is  the  name  that 
they  shall  call  him.  The  Lord  our  just  One.  (Jer.  xxxiii. 
14 — 16.)  A  child  is  born  to  us,  and  a  son  is  given  to  us, 
and  the  government  is  upon  his  shoulder;  and  his  name 
shall  be  called,  Wonderful,  Counsellor,  God  the  Mighty,  the 
Father  of  the  world  to  come,  the  Prince  of  peace.  {Isa. 
ix.  9.)  And  they  shall  call  his  name  Emmanuel,  which 
being  interpreted  is  God  with  us.  (Matt.  i.  23.)  And  they 
shall  say  in  that  day :  Lo,  this  is  our  God,  we  have  waited 
for  Him,  and  He  will  save  us ;  this  is  the  Lord,  we  have 
patiently  waited  for  Him  ;  we  shall  rejoice  and  be  joyful 
in  his  salvation.  (Isa.  xxv.  9.^     I  am,  I  am  the  Lord,  and 


CHRIST,  THE    TRUE    GOD.  209 

there  is  no  Saviour  besides  me ;  you  are  my  witnesses, 
saith  the  Lord,  and  I  am  God,  and  from  the  beginning  I 
am  the  same.  {ha.  xliii.  11 — 13.)  Verily  Thou  art  a  hid- 
den God,  the  God  of  Israel,  the  Saviour;  a  just  God  and  a 
Saviour;  there  is  none  besides  Thee.  I  have  sworn  by 
myself,  saith  the  Lord,  the  word  of  justice  shall  go  out  of 
my  mouth,  and  shall  not  return ;  for  every  knee  shalt  be 
bowed  to  me,  and  every  tongue  shall  swear.  {Isa.  xlv.  15, 
21 — 24.)  Christ  according  to  the  flesh,  who  is  over  all 
things,  God  blessed  forever,  Amen.  {Rom.  ix.  5.)  Jesus 
Christ,  who  being  in  the  form  of  God,  thought  it  no  rob- 
bery himself  to  be  equal  to  God,  but  debased  himself, 
taking  the  form  of  a  servant,  being  made  to  the  likeness 
of  men,  and  in  shape  formed  as  a  man.  He  humbled  him- 
self, becoming  obedient  unto  death,  even  to  the  death  of 
the  cross.  For  which  cause  God  also  hath  exalted  Him, 
and  hath  given  him  a  name  which  is  above  all  names : 
That  in  the  name  of  Jesus  every  knee  should  bow,  of  those 
that  are  in  heaven,  on  earth,  and  under  the  earth;  and 
that  every  tongue  should  confess  that  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  is  in  the  glory  of  God  the  Father.  {Phil.  ii.  6—11.) 
His  Son,  whom  he  hath  appointed  heir  of  all  things,  by 
whom  also  he  made  the  world ;  who  being  the  bright- 
ness of  his  glory,  and  the  figure  of  his  substance,  and  up- 
holding all  things  by  the  word  of  his  power,  making  pur- 
gation of  sins,  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  the  Majesty  on 
high.     {Heb.  i.  2,  3.) 

Evidently  great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness,  which  was 
manifiested  in  the  flesh,  was  justified  in  the  spirit,  ap- 
peared unto  angels,  hath  been  preached  unto  the  gentiles, 
is  believed  in  the  world,  is  taken  up  in  glory.  (1  Tim. 
iii.  16.) 

Grace  be  unto  you  and  peace  from  Him  that  is,  and  that 
was,  and  that  is  to  come ;  from  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the 

18* 


210  THE    LOVE    OF    CHRIST. 

faithful  witness,  the  first  begotten  of  the  dead,  and  the 
prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  who  hath  loved  us,  and  Mi 
washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  own  blood :  and  hath  made  flu 
us  a  kingdom  and  priests  to  God  and  his  Father,  to  Him 
be  glory  and  empire  forever  and  ever.  Amen. 

Behold,  He  cometh  with  the  clouds,  and  every  eye  shall 
see  Him,  and  they  also  that  pierced  Him.  Even  so.  Amen. 
I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the  end,  saith 
the  Lord  God,  who  is,  and  who  was,  and  who  is  to  come, 
the  Almighty.     (Apoc.  i.  4 — 8.) 


THE  LOVE  OF  CHRIST  TO  HIS  CHOSEN 

PEOPLE. 

You  are  my  friends,  if  you  do  the  things  that  I 
command  you.  I  will  not  now  call  you  servants  ; 
for  the  servant  knoweth  not  what  his  lord  doth. 
But  I  have  called  you  friends,  because  all  things 
whatsoever  1  have  heard  of  my  Father,  I  have 
made  known  to  you.  Holy  Father  keep  them  in  thy 
name,  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  thai  they  may  be 
one,  as  we  also  are.  And  not  for  them  only  do  1 
pray,  but  for  them  also  who  through  their  luord  \ 
shall  believe  in  me ;  that  they  all  may  be  one,  as 
thou,  Father,  in  me,  and  1  in  thee,  that  they  also 
may  be  one  in  us.  St.  John  xv.  14,  15.  xvii.  11, 
20,21. 

Wo7'ds  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  discourse  with  his  disciples 
on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

He  came  into  his  own,  and  his  own  received  him  not. 
But  as  many  as  received  Him,  he  gave  them  power  to  be 
made  the  sons  of  God,  to  them  that  believe  in  his  name. 
(Jo/mi.  11,  12.) 


THE   LOVE    OF   CHRIST.  211 

Behold  what  manner  of  charity  the  Father  hath  be- 
stowed upon  us,  that  we  should  be  named  and  should  be 
the  sons  of  God.  (1  John  iii.  1.)  For  whosoever  are  led 
by  the  spirit  of  God,  they  are  the  sons  of  God.  For  you 
have  not  received  the  spirit  of  bondage  again  in  fear;  but 
you  have  received  the  spirit  of  adoption  of  sons,  whereby 
we  cry;  Abba,  (Father.)  For  the  Spirit  himself  giveth 
testimony  to  our  spirit,  that  we  are  the  sons  of  God.  And 
if  sons,  heirs  also;  heirs,  indeed,  of  God,  and  joint  heirs 
with  Christ.  {Rom.  viii.  14 — 17.)  For  you  are  the  temple 
of  the  living  God  :  as  God  saith ;  I  will  dwell  in  them, 
and  walk  among  them  ;  and  I  will  be  their  God,  and  they 
shall  be  ray  people.  And  I  will  receive  you;  and  I  will 
be  a  Father  to  you,  and  you  shall  be  my  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, saith  the  Lord  Almighty.     (2  Cor.  vi.  17.  18.) 

Dearly  beloved,  we  are  now  the  sons  of  God,  and  it 
hath  not  yet  appeared  what  we  shall  be.  We  know,  that 
when  He  shall  appear,  we  shall  be  like  to  Him,  because 
we  shall  see  Him  as  he  is.  And  every  man  that  hath  this 
hope  in  him,  sanctifieth  himself,  as  He  also  is  holy. 
{IJohn  iii.  2,  3.) 

Thus  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts ;  Behold,  I  will  save  my 
people ;  I  will  bring  them,  and  they  shall  dwell  in  the 
midst  of  Jerusalem  ;  and  they  shall  be  my  people,  and  I 
will  be  their  God  in  truth  and  justice.     (Zack.  iii.  8.) 

Thus  saith  the  Lord ;  To  them  that  choose  the  things 
that  please  me,  and  shall  hold  fast  my  covenant,  I  will 
give  to  them  in  my  house,  and  within  my  walls,  a  place, 
and  a  name  better  than  sons  and  daughters ;  I  will  give 
them  an  everlasting  name,  which  shall  never  perish.  I 
will  bring  them  into  my  holy  mount,  and  will  make  them 
joyful  in  my  house  of  prayer;  their  holocausts,  and  their 
victims  shall  please  me  upon  ray  altar.  (Isa.  Ivi.  4 — 7.) 
But  thou  hast  a  few  names  in  Sardis,  which  have  not 


212 


CHRIST   OUR    HIGH   PRIEST. 


defiled  their  garments,  and  they  shall  walk  with  me  in 
white,  because  they  are  worthy.  He  that  shall  overcome, 
shall  thus  be  clothed  in  white  garments  ;  and  I  will  not 
blot  out  his  name  out  of  the  book  of  life ;  and  I  will  con- 
fess his  name  before  my  Father,  and  before  his  angels. 
He  that  hath  an  ear  let  him  hear.     (Apoc.  in.  4 — 6.) 


CHRIST  OUR  HIGH  PRIEST. 

The  Son  of  man  came  not  to  be  ministered  unto., 
but  to  minister,  and  to  give  his  life  a  redemption 
for  many.     St.  Matt.  xx.  28, 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

The  Lord  hath  sworn,  and  He  will  not  repent;  Thou 
art  a  priest  forever  according  to  the  order  of  Melchise- 
dech.  (P5.  ex.  4.)  Thus  saith  the  Lord  ;  There  shall  not 
be  cut  off  from  the  priests  and  Levites,  a  man  before  my 
face,  to  offer  holocausts,  and  to  burn  sacrifice,  and  to  kill 
victims  continually.     (Jer.  xxxiii.  18.)       '  , 

Christ  did  not  glorify  himself  to  be  made  a  high  priest; 
but  He  that  said  to  him ;  Thou  art  my  Son,  this  day  have 
I  begotten  thee.  As  He  saith  also  in  another  place  ; 
Thou  art  a  priest  forever,  according  to  the  order  of  Mel- 
chisedech;  who  in  the  days  of  his  flesh,  offered  up  prayers 
and  supplications,  with  a  strong  cry  and  tears,  to  Him  that 
was  able  to  save.  And  being  consummated,  He  became 
the  cause  of  eternal  salvation  to  all  that  obey  Him,  being 
called  by  God  a  high  priest  according  to  the  order  of  Mel- 
chisedech.     (Heb.  v.  5 — 10.) 

Therefore,  he  made  to  him  a  covenant  of  peace,  to  be 
the  prince  of  the  sanctuary,  and  of  his  people,  that  the 
dignity  of  priesthood  should  be  to  Him  forever.  (Eccles. 


THE    MINISTERS    OF    GOD.  213 

xlv.  30.)  It  behoved  Him  in  all  things  to  be  made  like  to 
his  brethren,  that  He  might  become  a  merciful  and  faith- 
ful high  priest  with  God,  to  make  reconciliation  for  the 
sins  of  the  people.  Wherefore,  holy  brethren,  partakers 
of  the  heavenly  calling,  consider  the  Apostle  and  High 
Priest  of  our  profession,  Jesus ;  who  is  faithful  to  Him 
who  appointed  him.     (^Heb.  i.  17.  iii.  1,  2.) 

Jesus  is  made  the  surety  of  a  better  testament,  inas- 
much as  He  continueth  forever,  and  hath  an  everlasting 
priesthood.  Whereby  He  is  able  also  to  save  forever 
them  that  come  unto  God  by  himself;  always  living  to 
make  intercession  for  us.  For  it  was  fitting  that  we 
should  have  such  a  high  priest,  holy,  innocent,  undefiled, 
separated  from  sinners,  and  made  higher  than  the  hea- 
vens.    (Heb.  vii.  24 — 26.) 

Seeing,  then,  that  we  have  a  great  high  priest  that  hath 
passed  into  the  heavens,  Jesus  the  Son  of  God ;  let  us 
hold  fast  our  confession.  For  we  have  not  a  high  priest, 
who  cannot  have  compassion  on  our  infirmities,  but  one 
tempted  in  all  things,  like  as  we  are,  yet  without  sin.  Let 
us  go,  therefore,  with  confidence  to  the  throne  of  grace, 
that  we  may  obtain  mercy,  and  find  grace  in  seasonable 
aid.     {Heb.  iv.  14—16.) 


THE  MINISTERS  OF  GOD. 

If  any  man  minister  to  me,  him  will  my  Father 
I  honor.  Amen,  amen,  I  say  to  you,  he  that  receiveth 
{whomsoever  I  send,  receiveth  me:  and  he  that  re- 
Iceiveth  me,  receiveth  Him  that  sent  me.  He  that 
Iheareth  you,  heareth  me;  and  he  that  despiseth  yoUj 


214  THE    MINISTERS   OF    GOD. 

despiseth  me;  and  he  that  despiseth  me,  despisetk 
Hi?)!  that  sent  me.  JoHNxii.26.  xiii.20.  Luke  x.  16, 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 


is 


a 


You  are  the  light  of  the  world.  A  city  seated  on  a 
mountain  cannot  be  hid.  Neither  do  men  light  a  candle 
and  put  it  under  a  bushel,  but  upon  a  candlestick,  that  it 
may  shine  to  all  that  are  in  the  house^  So  let  your  light 
shine  before  men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works, 
and  glorify  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven.  He,  therefore, 
that  shall  break  one  of  these  least  commandments,  and 
shall  so  teach  men,  shall  be  called  the  least  in  the  king- 
dom of  heaven.  But  he  that  shall  do  and  teach,  he  shall 
be  called  great  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  (Matt.  v.  14 — 
19.)  And  the  Lord  spake  to  Moses,  saying;  Behold,  I 
have  filled  them  with  the  spirit  of  God,  with  wisdom  and 
understanding,  that  they  may  do  all  things  which  1  have 
commanded  them.     (Exod.  xxxi.  1,  3,  6.) 

Thus  saith  the  Lord :  They  that  choose  the  things  that 
please  me,  and  hold  fast  my  covenant;  I  will  give  to  them 
in  my  house,  and  within  my  walls,  a  place  and  a  name 
better  than  sons  or  daughters :  I  will  give  them  an  ever- 
lasting name  which  shall  never  perish.  I  will  bring  them 
unto  my  holy  mount,  and  will  make  them  joyful  in  my 
house  of  prayer ;  their  holocausts  and  their  victims  shall 
please  me  upon  my  altar:  for  my  house  shall  be  calledfc 
the  House  of  Prayer  for  all  Nations.     (Isa.  Ivi.  4 — 7.) 

And  we  beseech  you,  brethren,  to  know  them  who  labor'ii 
among  you,  and  are  over  you  in  the  Lord,  and  admonish |.r 
you,  that  you  esteem  them  more  abundantly  in  charity  for  Iff 
their  work.  (1  Thess.  v.  12,  13.)     My  brethren,  if  any  of  I 
you  err  from  the  truth,  and  one  convert  him  ;  let  him  know, 
that  he  who  causeth  a  sinner  to  be  converted  from  the> 
error  of  his  way,  shall  save  his  soul  from  death,  and  shall 


THE    TEMPLE    OF    GOD.  215 

cover  a  multitude  of  sins.  (James  v.  19,  20.)  Attend  to 
thyself  and  to  doctrine  ;  be  earnest  in  them  :  for  in  doing 
this  thou  shalt  both  save  thyself  and  them  that  hear  thee. 
(1  Tim.  iv.  16.) 

They  that  are  learned  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of 
the  firmament :  and  they  that  instruct  many  to  justice,  as 
stars  for  all  eternity.  {Dan.  xii.  3.)  Having  shone  as 
lights  in  a  dark  world,  holding  forth  to  all  the  word  of  life, 
{Phil.  ii.  15,)  they  will  shine  forth  as  the  sun  in  the  king- 
dom of  their  Father.  {Matt.  xii.  41.)  And  when  the  Prince 
of  pastors  shall  appear,  you  shall  receive  a  never-fading 
crown  of  glory.    (1  Pet.  v.  4.) 


THE  TEMPLE  OF  GOD. 

And  Jesus  said  to  them  ;  It  is  written,  My  house 
shall  be  called  the  house  of  prayer.  . . .  Whatsoever 
they  shall  ask,  it  shall  be  done  for  them  by  my  Fa- 
ther who  is  in  heaven  ;  for  where  there  are  tivo  or 
three  gathered  together  in  my  name,  there  am.  I  in 
the  midst  of  them.  Matt.  xxi.  13.  xviii.  19,  20. 
Words  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  to  his  disciples. 

And  in  the  last  days,  the  mountain  of  the  house  of  the 
Lord  shall  be  prepared  on  the  top  of  mountains,  and  it 
shall  be  exalted  above  the  hills,  and  all  nations  shall  flow 
unto  it.  And  many  people  shall  go,  and  say;  Come,  and 
let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  and  to  the  house 
of  the  God  of  Jacob,  and  he  will  teach  us  his  ways,  and 
we  will  walk  in  his  paths ;  for  the  law  shall  come  forth 
from  Sion,  and  the  word  of  the  Lord  from  Jerusalem.  O 
house  of  Jacob,  come  ye,  and  let  us  walk  in  ihe  light  of 
the  Lord.     {Isa.  ii.  2,  3,  5.)     They  shall  offer  upon  my  ac- 


216  THE    TEMPLE    OF    GOD. 

ceptable  altar,  and  I  will  glorify  the  house  of  my  majesty. 
And  thy  gates  shall  be  open  continually ;  they  shall  not 
be  shut  day  nor  night,  that  the  strength  of  the  Gentiles 
may  be  brought  to  thee.  I  will  bring  them  into  my  holy 
mount,  and  will  make  them  joyful  in  my  house  of  prayer ; 
their  holocausts,  and  their  victims  shall  please  me  upon, 
my  altar;  for  my  house  shall  be  called  the  House  of 
Prayer  for  all  Nations.     (Isa.  ii.  2,  3,  5.  Ix.  7,  11.  Ivi.  7.) 

In  the  visions  of  God,  he  set  me  upon  a  very  high 
mountain,  and  he  brought  me  into  the  temple,  and  he  said 
to  me ;  This  is  the  Holy  of  Holies.  And  he  brought  me 
to  the  gate  that  looked  towards  the  east,  and  brought  me 
into  the  inner  court,  and  behold,  the  house  was  filled  with 
the  glory  of  the  Lord.  And  he  said  to  me ;  Son  of  man, 
behold  the  place  of  my  throne.  The  priests  and  Levites 
shall  come  near  to  my  table  to  minister  unto  me,  and  to  1 
keep  my  ceremonies.  And  when  the  people  shall  go  in 
before  the  Lord  in  the  solemn  feast,  and  the  prince  in  theip' 
midst  of  *hem,  he  shall  offer  every  day  for  a  holocaust  to 
the  Lord,  a  Lamb  of  the  same  year  without  blemish ;  he 
shall  offer  it  always  in  the  morning.  He  shall  offer  the 
lamb,  and  the  sacrifice,  morning  by  morning;  an  everlast- 
ing holocaust.     (Eze.  xl.  11,  &c.) 

Keverence  my  sanctuary ;  I  am  the  Lord.  (Lev.  xxvi. 
2.)  Holiness  becometh  thy  house,  O  Lord,  unto  length 
of  days.  (Ps.  xcii.  5.)  Indeed,  the  Lord  is  in  this  place. 
How  awful  is  this  place !  it  is  no  other  than  the  house  of 
God,  and  the  gate  of  heaven.  (Gen.  xxviii.  16,  17.)  Keep 
thy  foot  when  thou  goest  into  the  house  of  God,  and  draw 
nigh  to  hear.     (Eccles.  iv.  17.) 

One  thing  I  have  asked  of  the  Lord,  this  will  I  seek 
after ;  That  I  may  dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord,  all  the 
days  of  my  life.  That  I  may  see  the  delight  of  the  Lord, 
and  may  visit  his  temple.    In  the  multitude  of  thy  mercy, 


THE    SENDING    OF    THE    HOLY    SPIRIT.  217 

I  will  come  into  thy  house ;  I  will  worship  towards  thy  holy 
temple,  in  thy  fear.    (Ps.  xxvi.  4,  5.) 

And  the  Lord  appeared  to  Solomon  by  night,  and  said ; 
I  have  heard  thy  prayer,  and  I  have  chosen  this  place  to 
myself  for  a  house  of  sacrifice.  My  eyes  also  shall  be 
open,  and  my  ears  attentive  to  the  prayer  of  him  that 
shall  pray  in  this  place;  for  I  have  chosen,  and  have 
sanctified  this  place,  that  my  name  may  be  there  forever, 
and  my  eyes  and  my  heart  may  remain  there  perpetually. 
(2  Paral.  vii.  15,  16.) 

Is  it  then  to  be  thought  that  God  should,  indeed,  dwell 
upon  earth  1  for  if  heaven,  and  the  heaven  of  heavens, 
y  cannot  contain  Thee,  how  much  less  this  house,  which  I 
have  built  1  But  I  have  regard  to  the  prayer  of  thy  ser- 
vant, and  to  his  supplications.  0  Lord  my  God,  hear  the 
hymn  and  the  prayer,  which  thy  servant  prayeth  before 
thee  this  day ;  that  thy  eyes  may  be  open  upon  this  house 
night  and  day ;  upon  the  house  of  which  Thou  hast  said ; 
My  name  shall  be  there ;  that  Thou  mayst  hearken  to  the 
prayer,  which  thy  servant  prayeth  in  this  place  to  Thee. 
That  thou  mayst  hearken  to  the  supplication  of  thy  ser- 
vant, and  of  thy  people  Israel,  whatsoever  they  shall  pray 
for  in  this  place ;  and  hear  them  in  the  place  of  thy  dwell- 
ing in  heaven,  and  when  thou  hearest,  show  them  mercy. 
(3  Kings  viii.  27—30.) 


-» — • 


THE  SENDING  OF  THE  HOLY  SPIRIT. 

/  will  ask  the  Father^  and  He  shall  give  you 
another  Paraclete  \jComforter^  that  he  may  abide 
with  you  forever ;  the  Spirit  of  truth,  whom  the 
world  cminot  receive,  because  it  seeth  him  not,  nor 
knoweth  him  ;  but  you  shall  know  him,  because  he 

19 


218  THE    SENDING    OF    THE    HOLY    SPIRIT. 

shall  abide  with  you,  and  shall  he  in  you.     He  will 

teach  you  all  things,  and  bring  all  things  to  your 

mind  whatsoever  I  shall  have   said  to  you.     St. 

John  xiii.  16,  17.  xiv.  26. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Redeemer  to  his  apostles,  in  his  dis- 
course on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

Akd  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  those  days,  that  I  will  pour 
out  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh ;  and  every  one  that  shall  call 
upon  the  name  of  the  Lord,  shall  be  saved;  for  in  mount 
Sion,  and  in  Jerusalem  shall  be  salvation.    (Joel  ii.  28, 32.) 

Now  if  the  ministration  of  death,  engraven  with  letters 
upon  stones,  was  glorious,  so  that  the  children  of  Israel 
could  not  steadfastly  behold  the  face  of  Moses  for  the 
glory  of  his  countenance,  which  [glory]  is  done  away ;  how 
shall  not  the  ministration  of  the  Spirit  be  rather  in  glory  1 
For  if  that  which  is  done  away,  was  glorious ;  much 
more  that  which  remaineth,is  in  glory.   (2  Cor.  iii.  7 — 11.) 

When  the  days  of  Pentecost  were  accomplished,  they 
were  all  together  in  one  place,  and  suddenly  there  came  a 
sound  from  heaven,  as  of  a  mighty  wind  coming,  and  it 
filled  the  whole  house  where  they  were  sitting.  And  there 
appeared  to  them  parted  tongues  as  it  were  of  fire,  and  it 
sat  upon  every  one  of  them ;  and  they  were  all  filled  with 
the  Holy  Ghost,  and  began  to  speak  with  divers  tongues, 
according  as  the  Holy  Ghost  gave  them  to  speak.  (Acts  xi. 
1—11.) 

Know  you  not,  that  your  members  are  the  temple  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  who  is  in  you,  whom  you  have  from  God,  and 
that  you  are  not  your  own  1  For  you  are  bought  with  a  great 
price.  Glorify  and  bear  God  in  your  body ;  (1  Cor.  v.  19, 
20.)  let  no  evil  speech  proceed  from  your  mouth,  but 
that  which  is  good  to  the  edification  of  faith,  that  it  may 
afford  grace  to  the  hearers;  and  grieve  not  the  Holy 


•* 


CHRIST,  THE    PHYSICIAN   OF    SOULS.  219 

Spirit  of  God,  whereby  you  are  sealed  unto  the  day  of 
redemption.     {Eph.  iv.  29,  30.) 

The  fruit  of  the  Spirit,  is  charity,  joy,  peace,  patience, 
benignity,  goodness,  longanimity,  mildness,  faith,  modesty, 
continency,  chastity.  If  we  live  in  the  Spirit,  let  us  also 
walk  in  the  Spirit.  {Eph.  iii.  22 — 25.)  Be  not  deceived; 
God  is  not  to  be  mocked ;  for  what  things  a  man  shall 
sow,  those  also  shall  he  reap  ;  for  he  that  soweth  in  his 
flesh,  of  the  flesh  also  shall  reap  corruption ;  but  he  that 
soweth  in  the  Spirit,  of  the  Spirit  shall  reap  life  everlast- 
ing.    {Eph.  iv.  7,  8.) 


CHRIST,  THE  PHYSICIAN  OF  SOULS. 

They  who  are  in  health  need  not  the  physician, 
but  they  that  are  sick  ;  I  came  not  to  call  the  just, 
but  sinners  to  penance.     Luke  v.  31,  32. 

Words  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees,  who 
accused  Him  of  holding  intercourse  with  sinners. 

AjfD  Jesus  came  to  Nazareth  where  he  was  brought  up ; 
and  He  went  into  the  synagogue  according  to  his  custom 
on  the  sabbath  day,  and  He  rose  up  to  read.  And  the 
book  of  Isaias  the  prophet  was  delivered  unto  Him.  And 
as  He  unfolded  the  book,  He  found  the  place  where  it  was 
■written:  The  spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  me,  wherefore  He 
hath  annointed  me  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor;  He 
hath  sent  me  to  heal  the  contrite  of  heart ;  to  preach  deliv- 
erance to  the  captives,  and  sight  to  the  blind ;  to  set  at 
liberty  them  that  are  bruised ;  to  preach  the  acceptable 
year  of  the  Lord,  and  the  day  of  reward.  And  when  He 
had  folded  the  book,  He  restored  it  to  the  minister,  and  sat 
down.    And  the  eyes  of  all  in  the  synagogue  were  fixed  on 


220  CHRIST,  THE    PHYSICIAN   OF    SOULS. 

Him.  And  He  began  to  say  to  them ;  This  day  is  fulfilled 
this  scripture  in  your  ears.  And  all  gave  testimony  to 
Him,  and  they  wondered  at  the  words  of  grace  that  pro- 
ceeded from  His  mouth,  and  they  said  ;  Is  not  this  the  son 
of  Joseph  1  And  He  said  to  them ;  Doubtless  you  will  say 
to  me  this  similitude;  Physician  heal  thyself:  as  great 
things  as  we  have  heard  done  in  Capharnaum,  do  also 
here  in  thy  own  country.  And  He  said ;  Amen  I  say  to 
you,  that  no  prophet  is  accepted  in  his  own  country. 
{Luke  iv.  16—24.) 

Unto  you  that  fear  my  name,  the  Sun  of  justice  shall 
arise,  with  healing  in  his  wings.  {Mai,  iv.  2.)  Bless  the 
Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  let  all  that  is  within  me  bless  his 
holy  name;  who  forgiveth  all  thy  iniquities;  who  healeth 
all  thy  diseases ;  who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  destruction  ; 
who  crowneth  thee  with  mercy  and  compassion ;  and 
satisfieth  thy  desire  with  good  things  :  thy  youth  shall  be 
renewed  like  the  eagle's     {Ps.  cii.  3 — 5,) 

The  Lord  taketh  pleasure  in  them  that  fear  Him,  and 
in  them  that  hope  in  his  mercy.  He  lifteth  up  the  meek, 
and  bringeth  the  wicked  down  even  to  ihe  ground.  He 
healeth  the  broken  of  heart,  and  bindeth  up  their  bruises. 
{Ps.  cxlvi.  3,  6,  11.)  Surely  He  hath  borne  our  infirmities, 
and  carried  our  sorrows.  We  thought  Him  as  it  were  a 
leper,  and  as  one  struck  by  God,  and  afflicted :  but  He  was 
wounded  for  our  iniquities.  He  was  bruised  for  our  sins ; 
the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon  Him,  and  by  his 
bruises  we  are  healed.     {Isa.  liii.  4,  5.) 

In  their  affliction  they  will  rise  early  to  me  ;  Come,  and 
let  us  return  to  the  Lord,  for  He  hath  taken  us,  and  He 
will  heal  us ;  He  will  strike,  and  He  will  cure  us.  His 
going  forth  is  prepared  as  the  morning  light ;  and  He  will 
come  to  us  as  the  early  and  the  latter  rain  to  the  earth. 
What  shall  I  do  to  thee,  O  Ephraim  ?  what  shall  I  do  to 


CHRIST,  THE    PHYSICIAN    OF    SOULS.  221 

thee,  0  Juda  1  your  mercy  is  as  a  morning  cloud,  and  as 
the  dew  that  goeth  away  in  the  morning.  (Oseevi.  1 — 4.) 
They  cried  to  the  Lord  in  their  aflliction ;  and  He  deliv- 
ered them  out  of  their  distresses.  Return,  you  rebellious 
children,  and  I  will  heal  your  rebellions.  Behold,  we  come 
to  Thee,  for  Thou  art  the  Lord  our  God  ;  truly  in  the  Lord 
our  God  is  the  salvation  of  Israel.  (Jer.  iii.  22, 23.)  I  said ; 

0  Lord,  be  Thou  merciful  to  me  :  heal  my  soul,  for  I  have 
sinned  against  Thee.  0  Lord  my  God,  I  have  cried  to 
Thee,  and  Thou  hast  healed  me.     (Ps.  xl.  5.  xx.  3.) 

He  sent  his  word,  and  healed  them,  and  delivered  them 
from  their  destructions,  (Ps.  cvi.  20)  saying ;  If  thou  wilt 
hear  the  voice  of  the  Lord  thy  God,  and  do  what  is  right 
before  Him,  and  obey  his  commandments,  and  keep  all 
his  precepts,  none  of  the  evils  that  I  laid  upon  Egypt,  will 

1  bring  upon  thee ;  for  I  am  the  Lord  thy  healer.  (Ex.  xv. 
26.)  Let  the  mercies  of  the  Lord  give  glory  to  Him,  and 
his  wonderful  works  to  the  children  of  men ;  and  let 
them  sacrifice  the  sacrifice  of  praise,  and  declare  his 
works  with  joy.     (Ps.  cvi.  21,  22.) 

God  hath  reconciled  us  to  Himself  by  Christ ;  for  Christ's 

sake,  then,  we  beseech  you,  be   ye   reconciled   to  God. 

(2  Cor.  iii.  18,  20.)    Grace  be  to  you,  and  peace  from  God 

the  Father  and  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  gave 

himself  for  our  sins,  that  He  might  deliver  us  from  this 

present  wicked  world,  according  to  the  will  of  God  and 

our  Father,  to  whom  be  glory  forever  and  ever.    Amen. 

(Gal.  i.  3—5.) 

19* 


222  SELF-EXAMINATION. 


SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Why  seest  thou  the  mote  that  is  in  thy  brother^s 
ct/6,  and  seest  not  the  beam  that  is  in  thy  own  eye? 
Or  how  say  est  thou  to  thy  brother  ;  Let  me  cast  the 
mote  out  of  thy  eye  ;  and  behold  a  beam  is  in  thy 
own  eye?  Thou  hypocrite!  cast  out  first  the  beam 
out  of  thy  own  eye,  and  then  shalt  thou  see  to  cast 
out  the  mote  out  of  thy  brother^ s  eye.  Matt.  vii. 
3—5. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Let  a  man  prove  himself;  for  if  we  judge  ourselves, 
we  shall  not  be  judged.  (1  Cor.  xi.  28,  31.)  If  any  man 
think  himself  to  be  something,  whereas  he  is  nothing,  he 
deceiveth  himself.  But  let  every  one  prove  his  own  work. 
(Ga/.  vi.  3,  4.)  Try  yourselves,  prove  ye  your  ownselves. 
(2  Cor.  xiii.  5.)  Prove  me,  O  Lord,  and  try  me.  {ha. 
XXV.  2.)  Prove  me,  O  God,  and  know  my  heart ;  examine 
me,  and  know  my  paths ;  and  see  if  there  be  in  me  the 
way  of  iniquity ;  and  lead  me  in  the  eternal  way.  (Ps. 
cxxxix.  23,  24.)  Hear,  O  Lord,  my  prayer ;  give  ear  to 
my  supplication  in  thy  truth  ;  hear  me  in  thy  justice.  And 
enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant,  for  in  thy  sight 
no  man  living  shall  be  justified.  I  stretched  forth  my  hands 
to  thee,  my  soul  is  as  earth  without  water  unto  Thee. 
Hear  me  speedily,  O  Lord,  my  spirit  hath  fainted  away. 
Turn  not  away  thy  face  from  me,  lest  I  be  like  unto  them 
that  go  down  into  the  pit.  Cause  me  to  hear  thy  mercy 
in  the  morning,  for  in  Thee  have  I  hoped.  Make  the  way 
known  to  me,  wherein  I  should  walk,  for  I  have  lifted  up 
my  soul  to  Thee.     (Ps.  clxii.  1 — 8.) 

I  cried  to  the  Lord,  to  God  with  my  voice,  and  He  gave 


FEAR    OF    THE    LORD.  223 

ear  to  me.  In  the  day  of  my  trouble  I  sought  God,  with 
my  hands  lifted  up  to  Him  in  the  night ;  and  I  was  not 
deceived.  My  soul  refused  to  be  comforted ;  I  remembered 
God,  and  was  delighted,  and  was  exercised,  and  my  spirit 
swooned  away.  My  eyes  prevented  the  watches ;  I  was 
troubled,  and  I  spoke  not.  I  thought  upon  the  days  of  old, 
and  I  had  in  my  mind  the  eternal  years.  And  I  meditated 
in  the  night  with  my  own  heart ;  and  I  was  exercised,  and 
I  swept  my  spirit.  Will  God  then  cast  off  forever  1  or  will 
He  never  again  be  more  favorable  1  Or  will  He  cut  off 
his  mercy  forever,  from  generation  to  generation]  Or  will 
God  forget  to  show  mercy  1  or  will  He  in  his  anger  shut 
up  his  mercies'?     (P.9.  Ixxvi.  1 — 10.) 

Let  us  search  our  ways,  and  seek,  and  return  to  the 
Lord.  Let  us  lift  up  our  hearts  with  our  hands  to  the 
Lord  in  the  heavens.  Why  wilt  Thou  forget  us  forever? 
why  wilt  Thou  forsake  us  for  a  long  time  1  Convert  us, 
O  Lord,  to  Thee,  and  we  shall  be  converted ;  renew  our 
days,  as  from  the  beginning.  (Lam.  in.  40,  41.  v.  20,  21.) 
And  now  thus  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts  ;  Set  your  hearts  to 
consider  your  ways ;  you  have  sowed  much  and  brought 
in  little,     i^gg-  i.  10.) 


FEAR  OF  THE  LORD. 

Be  not  afraid  of  them  who  kill  the  body,  and  after 
that  Imve  no  more  that  they  can  do.  But  I  will 
show  you  whom  ye  shall  fear :  fear  ye  Him  who 
after  He  hath  killed,  hath  power  to  cant  into  hell, 
lea,  I  say  to  you,  fear  Him.  Luke  xii.  4,  5. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude. 

The  son  honoreth  the  father,  and  the  servant  his  master ; 


224  FEAR  OF   THE   LORD. 

if  then  I  be  a  father,  where  is  my  honor  1  and  if  I  be  a 
master,  where  is  my  fear,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts  1  {Mai, 
i.  6.)  I  will  praise  the  Lord ;  holy  and  terrible  is  his 
name;  the  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom. 
(Ps.  ex.  9.)  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  the  lesson  of  wisdom ; 
By  the  fear  of  the  Lord  every  one  declineth  from  evil. 
(JPro.  xxii.  4.  xv.  27.)  Therefore  fear  the  Lord,  and  serve 
him  in  truth  and  with  your  whole  heart ;  for  you  have 
seen  the  great  works  which  He  hath  done  among  you. 
(1  Gen.  xii.  24.) 

Pierce  Thou  my  flesh  with  thy  fear,  let  me  be  afraid  of 
thy  judgments.  {Fs.  cxviii.  120.)  The  voice  of  the  Lord 
crieth  to  the  city,  and  salvation  shall  be  to  them  that  fear 
his  name.  (Mich.  vi.  8,  9.)  Show  us,  O  Lord,  thy  mercy, 
and  grant  us  thy  salvation.  Surely  his  salvation  is  near 
to  them  that  fear  Him.     (Ps.  Ixxxiv.  8,  10.) 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  feareth  the  Lord  ;  he  shall  de- 
light exceedingly  in  his  commandments.  His  heart  is 
ready  to  hope  in  the  Lord ;  he  shall  not  fear  the  evil  hear- 
ing. (Ps.  cxi.  1,  7.)  My  covenant  was  with  him  of  life 
and  peace ;  and  I  gave  him  fear,  and  he  feared  me,  and 
he  was  afraid  before  my  name.  The  law  of  truth  was  in 
his  mouth,  and  iniquity  was  not  found  in  his  lips ;  he 
walked  with  me  in  peace,  and  in  equity,  and  turned  many 
away  from  iniquity.     (Mai.  ii.  5,  6.) 

To  fear  God  is  the  fulness  of  wisdom;  and  fulness  is 
from  the  fruits  thereof.  The  fear  of  the  Lord  is  a  crown 
of  wisdom,  the  filling  up  of  peace,  and  the  fruit  of  salvation. 
With  him  that  feareth  the  Lord  it  shall  go  well  in  the 
latter  end,  and  in  the  day  of  his  death  he  shall  be  blessed. 
(Eccles.  i.  13,  20,  22.)  Wherefore,  my  dearly  beloved, 
work  out  your  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling.  (Phil. 
ii.  12.) 


CONFESSION    OF    SINS.  225 


CONFESSION  OF  SINS. 

There  shall  be  joy  in  heaven  upon  one  sinner  that 
doth  penance.,  more  than  upon  ninety-nine  just ^  who 
need  not  penance.  Yea,  I  say  to  you,  there  shall  be 
joy  before  the  angels  of  God  upon  one  sinner  doing 
penance.     Luke  xv.  7,  8. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Pharisees. 

If  we  say  that  we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves, 
and  the  truth  is  not  in  us.  If  we  confess  our  sins,  He  is 
faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us 
from  all  iniquity.  (1  John  i.  8,  9.) 

When  a  man  or  woman  shall  have  committed  any  of 
all  the  sins  that  men  are  wont  to  commit,  and  shall  have 
transgressed  the  commandment  of  the  Lord  and  sinned, 
they  shall  confess  their  sins.     (JSum.  v.  6,  7.) 

When  the  wicked  man  turneth  away  from  his  wicked- 
ness which  he  hath  committed,  and  doeth  judgment  and 
justice,  he  shall  save  his  soul  alive.  Cast  away  from 
you  all  your  transgressions  by  which  you  have  trans- 
gressed, and  make  to  yourselves  a  new  heart,  and  a  new 
spirit :  for  I  desire  not  the  death  of  him  that  dieth,  saith 
the  Lord  ;  return  to  me  and  live.     (Eze.  xviii.  27 — 32.) 

Esdras  the  priest  stood  up,  and  said  to  the  people ;  You 
have  transgressed,  and  added  to  the  sins  of  Israel;  and 
now,  make  confession  to  the  Lord  God  of  our  fathers,  and 
do  his  pleasure.  And  all  the  multitude  answered  and  said 
with  a  loud  voice  ;  According  to  thy  word  unto  us,  so  be 
it  done.  (2  Esd.  x.  10 — 12.)  And  they  cried  unto  the  Lord, 
and  said ;  We  have  sinned ;  do  Thou  unto  us  whatever 
it  pleaseth  Thee ;  only  deliver  us  this  time.  (Judg.  x.  15.) 


226  CONFESSION   OF   SINS. 

He  that  hideth  his  sins  shall  not  prosper,  but  he  that 
shall  confess  and  forsake  them,  shall  obtain  mercy.  (Pro. 
xxviii.  13.)  Be  not  ashamed  to  confess  your  sin ;  (^Eccles. 
iv.  31.)  but  laying  aside  every  weight  and  sin  which  sur- 
rounds you,  (Heb.  xii.  1.)  do  penance,  for  the  remission  of 
your  sins,  and  you  shall  receive  the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
(Ads  ii.  38.)  There  is  a  shame  that  bringeth  sin ;  and 
there  is  a  shame  that  bringeth  glory  and  grace.  (Eccles. 
iv.  25.)  Thou  knowest  ray  reproach,  and  my  confusion, 
and  my  shame ;  O  forgive  me,  that  I  may  be  refreshed, 
before  I  go  hence,  and  be  no  more.  For  thy  name's  sake, 
O  Lord,  thou  wilt  pardon  my  sin ;  for  it  is  great.  (Ps. 
xxiv.  11,  &c.) 

Blessed  are  they  whose  iniquities  are  forgiven,  and 
whose  sins  are  covered.  Blessed  is  the  man  to  whom  the 
Lord  hath  not  imputed  sin ;  because  I  was  silent,  my  bones 
grew  old,  whilst  I  cried  out  all  the  day  long.  For  day  and 
night  thy  hand  was  heavy  upon  me ;  1  am  turned  in  my 
anguish,  whilst  the  thorn  is  fastened.  I  have  acknow- 
ledged my  sin  to  Thee,  and  my  injustice  I  have  not  con- 
cealed. I  said  I  will  confess  against  m}  self  my  injustice 
to  the  Lord ;  and  Thou  hast  forgiven  the  wickedness  of 
my  sin.  For  this  shall  every  one  that  is  holy  pray  to 
Thee,  in  a  seasonable  time.     (Fs.  xxxi.  1 — 6.) 

Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  let  all  that  is  within 
me  bless  his  holy  name.  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and 
never  forget  all  He  hath  done  for  thee.  Who  forgiveth 
all  thy  iniquities,  who  healeth  all  thy  diseases ;  who  re- 
deemeth  thy  life  from  destruction ;  who  crowneth  thee 
with  mercy  and  compassion.  The  Lord  is  compassionate 
and  merciful,  long  suffering  and  plenteous  in  mercy.  He 
will  not  always  be  angry ;  nor  will  He  threaten  forever. 
He  hath  not  dealt  with  us  according  to  our  sins,  nor  re- 
warded us  according  to  our  iniquities.    For  according  to 


CONFESSION   OF    SINS,  EXAMPLES    OF.  227 

the  height  of  the  heaven  above  the  earth ,  He  hath  strength- 
ened his  mercy  towards  them  that  fear  Him.  As  far  as 
the  east  is  from  the  west,  so  far  hath  He  removed  our  ini- 
quities from  us.  As  a  father  hath  compassion  on  his 
children,  so  hath  the  Lord  compassion  on  them  that  fear 
Him ;  for  he  knoweth  our  frame ;  He  remembereth  that 
we  are  dust.  Man's  days  are  as  grass,  as  the  flower  of 
the  field  so  shall  he  flourish  ;  but  the  mercy  of  the  Lord 
is  from  eternity  and  unto  eternity  upon  them  that  fear  Him. 
(Ps.  cii.  1—17.) 

O  Lord,  thou  hast  forgiven  my  iniquity.  Thou  hast  cov- 
ered all  my  sins ;  Thou  hast  turned  away  the  fierceness 
of  thy  indignation.  Convert  us,  0  God,  our  Saviour !  turn, 
and  bring  us  to  life.  Show  us,  O  Lord,  thy  mercy,  and 
grant  us  thy  salvation.  The  Lord  God  will  speak  peace 
to  his  people,  and  unto  them  that  are  converted  in  heart. 
Surely  his  salvation  is  near  to  them  that  fear  Him.  (Ps. 
Ixxxiv.  3—10.) 

For  Christ,  we  beseech  you,  be  reconciled  to  God. 
(2  Cor.  v.  20.)  How  shall  we  escape,  if  we  neglect  so 
great  salvation  1     (Heb.  ii.  3.) 


CONFESSION  OF  SINS,  EXAMPLES  OF. 

Do  penance,  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at 
hand.     Matt.  iv.  17. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude. 

Take,  my  brethren,  for  an  example,  the  prophets,  who 
spoke  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.  iJarnes  v.  10.)  Observe 
them  who  walked  so  as  you  may  have  a  model.  The 
ihings  which  you  have  learned,  and  received,  and  heard, 


228  CONFESSION    OF    SINS,  EXAMPLES   OF. 

these  do  ye,  and  the  God  of  peace   shall  be  with  you. 
(Phil.  iii.  17.  iv.  9.) 

Solomon  stood  before  the  altar  of  the  Lord,  in  the  sight 
of  the  assembly  of  Israel,  and  spread  forth  his  hands  to- 
wards heaven,  and  said ;  Lord  God  of  Israel !  there  is  no 
God  like  Thee,  in  heaven  above,  or  on  earth  beneath  ; 
who  keepest  covenant  and  mercy  with  thy  servants  that 
have  walked  before  Thee  with  all  their  heart;  hear  Thou 
in  heaven,  and  do,  and  judge  thy  servants,  condemning 
the  wicked,  and  bringing  his  way  upon  his  own  head ; 
and  justifying  the  just,  and  rewarding  him  according  to  his 
justice.  And  if  thy  people,  doing  penance,  and  confess- 
ing to  thy  name,  shall  come,  and  pray,  and  make  suppli- 
cations to  Thee  in  his  house ;  then  hear  Thou  in  heaven, 
and  forgive  the  sin  of  thy  people.  And  if  they  do  penance 
in  thy  name,  and  shall  be  converted  from  their  sins,  by 
occasion  of  their  afflictions,  then  hear  Thou  them  in  heaven, 
and  forgive  the  sins  of  thy  servants,  and  of  thy  people 
Israel,  and  show  them  the  good  way  wherein  they  should 
walk.  When  a  man  shall  know  the  wound  of  his  own 
heart,  and  shall  spread  forth  his  hands,  in  this  house,  then 
hear  Thou  in  heaven,  in  the  place  of  thy  dwelling,  and  for- 
give, and  do  so  as  to  give  to  every  one  according  to  his 
ways,  as  Thou  shalt  see  his  heart,  (for  Thou  only  knowest 
the  heart  of  all  the  children  of  men,)  that  they  may  fear 
Thee  all  the  days  that  they  live  upon  the  face  of  the  land. 

But  if  they  sin  against  Thee,  (for  there  is  no  man  who 
sinneth  not)  and  Thou  be  angry;  then  if  they  do  penance 
in  their  heart,  and  being  converted,  make  supplication  to 
Thee,  saying;  We  have  sinned;  we  have  done  unjustly; 
we  have  committed  wickedness ;  and  return  to  Thee  with 
all  their  heart,  and  all  their  soul ;  then  hear  Thou  in  hea- 
ven, in  the  firmament  of  thy  throne,  their  prayers,  and 
their  supplications,  and  do  judgment  for  them,  and  forgi* 


■4 


CONFESSION    OF    SINS,  EXAMPLES    OF.  229 

thy  people  that  have  sinned  against  Thee,  and  all  their 
iniquities,  by  which  they  have  transgressed  against  Thee, 
and  give  them  mercy ;  and  may  Thine  eyes  be  open  to  the 
supplication  of  thy  servant,  and  of  thy  people,  to  hear 
them  in  all  things  for  which  they  shall  call  upon  Thee. 
(3  Kings  viii.  22—32.) 

And  I  [Esdras,]  rent  my  mantle,  and  sat  down  mourn- 
ing ;  I  sat  sorrowful  until  the  evening  sacrifice.  And  at 
the  evening  sacrifice  I  rose  up  from  my  affliction,  and 
having  rent  my  mantle  and  my  garment,  I  fell  upon  my 
knees,  and  spread  out  my  hands  to  the  Lord  my  God, 
and  said ;  My  God  !  I  am  confounded,  and  ashamed  to 
lift  up  my  face  to  Thee,  for  our  iniquities  are  multiplied 
over  our  heads,  and  our  sins  are  grown  up  even  unto 
heaven ;  we  have  sinned  grievously  unto  this  day,  and 
ours  is  confusion  of  face.  And  now  is  our  prayer  made 
before  the  Lord  our  God,  that  He  would  enlighten  our 
eyes,  and  save  us  from  our  iniquity.  And  after  all  that 
is  come  upon  us,  for  our  most  wicked  deeds,  and  our 
great  sin,  art  Thou  angry  with  us  unto  utter  destruction, 
not  to  leave  us  a  remnant  to  be  saved  1  O  Lord  God  of 
Israel,  Thou  art  just;  for  we  remain  yet  to  be  saved  as  at 
this  day.  Behold,  we  are  before  Thee  in  our  sin ;  for  there 
can  be  no  standing  before  Thee  in  this  matter.  (1  Esdras 
ix.  5—15.) 

And  I  [Nehemias,]  sat  down,  and  wept,  and  mourned 
for  many  days,  and  I  fasted,  and  prayed  before  the  face 
of  the  God  of  heaven.  And  I  said ;  I  beseech  Thee,  O 
Lord  God  of  heaven,  strong,  great,  and  terrible,  who 
keepest  covenant  and  mercy  with  those  that  love  Thee, 
and  keep  thy  commandments ;  let  thine  eyes  be  opened, 
and  thy  ears  be  attentive  to  hear  the  prayer  of  thy  servant, 
which  I  pray  before  Thee  now,  night  and  day,  for  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel  thy  servants ;  and  I  confess  the  sins  of  the 

20 


230  CONFESSION   OF   SINS,  EXAMPLES   OF. 

children  of  Israel,  by  which  they  have  sinned  against 
Thee;  land  my  father's  house  have  sinned.  We  have 
been  seduced  by  vanity,  and  have  not  kept  thy  command- 
ments, and  ceremonies,  and  judgments,  which  Thou  hast 
commanded  thy  servant  Moses.  These  are  thy  servants, 
and  thy  people,  whom  Thou  hast  redeemed  by  thy  great 
strength,  and  by  thy  mighty  hand.  I  beseech  Thee,  O 
Lord,  let  thy  ear  be  attentive  to  the  prayer  of  thy  servants, 
who  desire  to  fear  thy  name.     (2  Esdras  i.  4 — 11.) 

And  I  [Daniel,]  set  my  face  to  the  Lord  my  God,  to  pray, 
and  to  make  supplication  with  fasting,  and  sackcloth,  and 
ashes.    And  I  prayed  to  the  Lord  my  God,  and  I  made 
my  confession,  and  said ;  I  beseech  Thee,  0  Lord  God, 
great  and  terrible,  who  keepest  the  covenant,  and  mercy 
to  them  that  love  Thee,  and  keep  thy  commandments.   We 
have  sinned ;  we  have  committed  iniquity ;  we  have  done 
wickedly,  and  have  revolted,  and  have  gone  aside  from 
thy  commandments,  and  thy  judgments;  we  have  not 
hearkened  to  thy  servants  the  prophets,  that  have  spoken 
in  thy  name.    To  thee,  0  Lord,  justice,  but  to  us  con- 
fusion of  face ;  O  Lord,  to  us  belongeth  confusion  of  face, 
to  all  of  us  who  have  sinned.    But  to  Thee,  the  Lord  our 
God,  mercy  and  forgiveness ;  for  we  have  departed  from 
Thee ;  and  have  not  hearkened  to  the  voice  of  the  Lord 
our  God,  to  walk  in  his  law,  which  He  set  before  us  by 
his  servants  the  prophets.    And  all  Israel  have  trans- 
gressed thy  law,  and  have  turned  away  from  hearing  thy 
voice ;  and  the  malediction,  and  the  curse,  which  is  writ- 
ten in  the  book  of  Moses,  the  servant  of  God,  is  fallen 
upon  us,  because  we  have  sinned  against  Him.    This  evil 
is  come  upon  us,  and  we  entreated  not  thy  face,  O  Lord 
our  God,  that  we  might  turn  from  our  iniquities,  and  think 
on  thy  truth ;  we  have  sinned,  we  have  committed  iniquity, 
O  Lord,  against  all  thy  justice.    O  our  God,  hear  the  sup- 


CHRIST,  THE    WATER   OF   LIFE.  231 

plication  of  thy  servant,  and  his  prayers,  and  for  thy 
own  sake,  show  thy  face  upon  the  sanctuary  which  is 
desolate.  Incline,  0  my  God,  thy  ear,  and  hear ;  open  thy 
eyes,  and  see  our  desolation ;  for  it  is  not  for  our  justi- 
fications that  we  present  our  prayers  before  thy  face,  but 
for  the  multitude  of  thy  tender  mercies.  O  Lord,  hear!  O 
Lord,  be  appeased!  hearken,  and  do;  delay  not  for  thy 
own  sake,  O  my  God,  because  thy  name  is  invoked  upon 
thy  city,  and  upon  thy  people.    (Dan.  ix.  3 — 19.) 


CHRIST,  THE  WATER  SPRINGING  UP  TO  LIFE 
EVERLASTING. 

Now,  on  the  last  great  day  of  the  festivity,  Jesus 
stood,  and  cried  out,  saying ;  If  any  man  thirst, 
let  him  come  to  me,  and  drink.  St.  John  vi.  37.  / 
am  the  bread  of  life,  he  that  cometh  to  me,  shall  not 
hunger,  and  he  that  believeth  in  me,  shall  never 
thirst.     John  vi.  35. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude. 

You  shall  draw  waters  with  joy  from  the  fountains  of  the 
Saviour.  (Isa.  xii.  3.)  My  people  have  done  two  evils ;  they 
have  forsaken  me,  the  fountain  of  living  water,  and  have 
digged  to  themselves  cisterns,  broken  cisterns,  that  can 
hold  no  water.  They  that  depart  from  Thee  shall  be  writ- 
ten in  the  earth,  because  they  have  forsaken  the  Lord,  the 
vein  of  living  waters.     (Jer.  ii.  13.  xvii.  13.) 

Jesus  cometh  to  a  city  of  Samari*,  called  Sichar;  near 
the  land  which  Jacob  gave  to  his  son  Joseph.  Now 
Jacob's  well  was  there.  Jesus,  therefore,  being  wearied 
with  his  journey,  sat  c^  the  well.  It  was  about  the  sixth 
hour.    There  cometh  a  woman  of  Samaria  to  draw  water, 


232  CHRIST,  THE    WATER   OF    LIFE. 

Jesus  saith  to  her ;  Give  me  to  drink :  for  his  disciples 
■were  gone  into  the  city  to  buy  meats.     Then  that  Sama- 
ritan woman  saith  to  him ;  How  dost  thou,  being  a  Jew, 
ask  of  me  to  drink,  who  am  a  Samaritan  woman?     Jesus 
answered,  and  said  to  her;  If  thou  didst  know  the  gift  of 
God,  and  who  he  is  that  saith  to  thee.  Give  me  to  drink ; 
thou,  perhaps,  wouldst  have  asked  of  him,  and  he  would 
have  given  thee  living  water.    The  woman  saith  to  him; 
Sir,  thou  hast  nothing  wherein  to  draw,  and  the  well  is 
deep;  from  whence,  then,  hast  thou  living  water?     Art 
thou  greater  than  our  father  Jacob,  who  gave  us  the  well, 
and  drank  thereof  himself,  and  his  children,  and  his  cattle? 
Jesus  answered,  and  said  to  her;  whosoever  drinketh  of 
this  water,  shall  thirst  again ;  but  he  that  shall  drink  of 
the  water  that  I  will  give  him,  shall  not  thirst  forever. 
But  the  water  that  I  will  give  him,  shall  become  in  him  a 
fountain  of  water  springing  up  unto  life  everlasting.    The 
woman  saith  to  him ;  Sir,  give  me  of  this  water,  that  I 
may  not  thirst,  nor  come  hither  to  draw.    (John  iv.  5 — 15.) 
And  he  showed  me  a  river  of  water  of  life,  clear  as 
crystal,    proceeding  from  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the 
Lamb.    In  the  midst  of  the  street  thereof,  and  on  both 
sides  of  the  river,  was  the  tree  of  life,  bearing  twelve 
fruits,  yielding  its  fruits  every  month,  and  the  leaves  of 
the  tree  were  for  the  healing  of  the  nations.     To  him  that 
thirsteth  I  will  give  of  the  fountain  of  the  water  of  life, 
freely.    And  he  that  thirsteth,  let  him  come ;  and  he  that 
will,  let  him  take  the  water  of  life,  freely.     For  the  Lamb, 
which  is  in  the  midst  of  the  throne,  shall  rule  them,  and 
shall  lead  them  to  the  fountains  of  the  waters  of  life,  and 
God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes.    They 
shall  no  more  hunger  nor  thirst,  neither  shall  the  sun  fall 
on  them,  nor  any  heat.     (Apoc.  vii.  17.   xxi.  6,  12.   xxii. 
16,  17.) 


CHRIST,  THE    BREAD    FROM   HEAVEN.  233 


CHRIST,  THE  BREAD  WHICH  COMETH  DOWN 
FROM  HEAVEN. 

/  am  the  bread  of  life.  Your  fathers  did  eat 
manna  in  the  desert,  and  are  dead.  This  is  the 
bread  which  cometh  down  from  heaven,  that  if  any 
man  eat  of  it,  he  may  not  die.  1  am  the  living 
bread,  which  came  down  from  heaven.  If  any  man 
eat  of  this  bread,  he  shall  live  forever  ;  and  the  bread 
that  I  will  give,  is  my  flesh  for  the  life  of  the  world. 
Amen,  amen  I  say  unto  you ;  Except  you  eat  the 
flesh  of  the  Son  of  man,  and  drink  his  blood,  you 
shall  not  have  life  in  you.  He  that  eateth  my  flesh, 
and  drinketh  my  blood,  hath  everlasting  life,  and  1 
will  raise  him  up  in  the  last  day.  For  my  flesh  is 
meat  indeed,  and  my  blood  is  drink  indeed.  He 
that  eateth  my  flesh  and  drinketh  my  blood,  abideth 
iri  me,  and  I  in  him.  As  the  living  Father  hath 
sent  me,  and  I  live  by  the  Father,  so  he  that  eateth 
me,  the  same  also  shall  live  by  me.  This  is  the 
bread  that  came  down  from  heaven.  Not  as  your 
fathers  did  eat  manna,  and  are  dead.  He  that 
eateth  this  bread,  shall  live  forever.  John  vi.  48 — 59. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude. 

Jesus  said  to  the  multitude ;  Amen,  amen,  I  say  to  you, 
you  seek  me  not  because  you  have  seen  miracles,  but  be- 
cause you  did  eat  of  the  loaves,  and  were  filled.  Labor 
not  for  the  meat  which  perisheth,  but  for  that  which  endur- 
eth  unto  life  everlasting,  which  the  Son  of  man  will  give 
you ;  for  him  hath  God,  the  Father,  sealed.  They  said 
therefore  unto  him ;  What  shall  we  do  that  we  may  work 
the  works  of  God  ?   Jesus  answered,  and  said  to  them ; 

20* 


234  Christ's  love  to  man. 

This  is  the  work  of  God,  that  you  believe  in  him,  whom 
He  hath  sent.  They  said  therefore  to  Him ;  what  sign 
therefore,  dost  thou  show  that  we  may  see,  and  may  believe 
Thee  ?  what  dost  thou  work  1  Our  fathers  did  eat  manna 
in  the  desert ;  as  it  is  written.  He  gave  them  bread  from 
heaven  to  eat.  Then  Jesus  said  to  them ;  Amen,  amen  I 
say  to  you,  Moses  gave  you  not  bread  from  heaven,  but 
my  Father  giveth  you  the  true  bread  from  heaven.  For 
the  bread  of  God  is  that  which  coraeth  down  from  heaven, 
and  giveth  life  to  the  world.  They  said  therefore  unto 
Him ;  Lord,  give  us  always  this  bread.  And  Jesus  said 
to  them ;  I  am  the  bread  of  life,  he  that  cometh  to  me, 
shall  not  hunger ;  and  he  that  believeth  in  me,  shall  never 
thirst.  (John  vi,  26 — 35.)  Thou  hast  given  them  the  bread 
of  heaven  ;  man  eat  the  bread  of  angels.  (Ps.  Ixxvii. 
24,  25.) 

As  often  as  you  shall  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  the  cha- 
lice, you  shall  show  the  death  of  the  Lord  until  he  come. 
Therefore,  whosoever  shall  eat  this  bread,  or  drink  the 
chalice  of  the  Lord  unworthily,  shall  be  guilty  of  the  body 
and  of  the  blood  of  the  Lord.  But  let  a  man  prove  him- 
self, and  so  let  him  eat  of  that  bread,  and  drink  of  the 
chalice.  For  he  that  eateth  and  drinketh  unworthily, 
eateth  and  drinketh  judgment  to  himself,  not  discerning 
the  body  of  the  Lord.    (1  Cor.  xi.  26—29.) 


JESUS  CHRIST,  FORCE  OF  HIS  LOVE  TO  MAN. 

Greater  love  than  this  no  man  hath,  that  a  man 
lay  down  his  life  for  his  friends. . .  Thus  it  is  writ- 
ten,  and  thus  it  behoved  Christ  to  suffer,  that  all 
things  might  be  fulfilled,  which  are  written  in  the 


Christ's  love  to  man.  235 

law  of  Moses,  and  in  the  prophets,  and  in  the  psalms, 
concerning  me.     John  xv.  13.  Luke  xxiv.  44. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

Declare  it  with  the  voice  of  joy ;  make  it  to  be  heard, 
and  speak  it  out  even  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  Say : — 
'  The  Lord  hath  redeemed  his  servant  Jacob !'  And  they 
shall  say  in  that  day :  *  Lo,  this  is  our  God !  we  have 
waited  for  Him,  and  He  shall  save  us.  This  is  the  Lord ! 
we  have  patiently  waited  for  Him ;  we  shall  rejoice  and 
be  joyful  in  his  salvation.'    (Isa.  xlviii.  20.  xxv.  9.) 

Jesus  knowing  that  his  hour  was  come  that  He  should 
pass  out  of  this  world  to  the  Father  ;  having  loved  his  own 
who  were  in  the  world,  He  loved  them  unto  the  end. 
(^John  xiii.  1 .) 

By  Jesus  Christ  we  have  access  through  faith  unto  the 
grace  wherein  we  stand,  and  glory  in  the  hope  of  the  glory 
of  the  sons  of  God.  For  why  did  Christ,  when  as  yet  we 
were  weak  according  to  the  time,  die  for  the  ungodly  1  for 
scarce  for  a  just  man  will  one  die  ;  yet  perhaps  for  a  good 
man  some  one  would  dare  to  die.  But  God  commendeth 
his  charity  towards  us ;  because  when  as  yet  we  were 
sinners,  Christ  died  for  us ;  much  more,  therefore,  being 
now  justified  by  his  blood,  shall  we  be  saved  from  wrath 
through  Him.  For  if,  when  we  were  enemies,  we  were 
reconciled  to  God  by  the  death  of  his  son ;  much  more, 
being  reconciled,  shall  we  be  saved  by  his  life.  And  not 
only  so ;  but  also  we  glory  in  God,  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  by  whom  we  have  now  received  reconciliation. 
Wherefore  as  by  one  man  sin  entered  into  this  world, 
and  by  sin  death ;  and  so  death  passed  upon  all  men,  for 
that  all  have  sinned  :  much  more  the  grace  of  God  and  the 
gift,  by  the  grace  of  one  man  Jesus  Christ,  hath  abounded 
unto  many.    For  as  by  the  disobedience  of  one  man,  many 


236  SOLICITUDE    FOR   THE    MORROW. 

were  made  sinners ;  so  also  by  the  obedience  of  one,  many 
shall  be  made  just.  That  as  sin  hath  reigned  to  death,  so 
also  grace  might  reign  by  justice  unto  life  everlasting, 
through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     (Rom.  v.  2—21.) 


SOLICITUDE  FOR  THE  MORROW. 

Be  not  solicitous  for  to-morrow,  for  the  morrow 
will  be  solicitous  for  itself.  Sufficient  for  the  day 
is  the  evil  thereof.     Matt.  vi.  34. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 

Be  not  solicitous  for  your  life,  what  you  shall  eat,  nor 
for  your  body,  what  you  shall  put  on.    Is  not  the  life  more 
than  the  food,  and  the  body  more  than  the  raiment  ?     Be- 
hold the  fowls  of  the  air,  for  they  sow  not,  neither  do  they 
reap,  nor  gather  into  barns;  yet  your  heavenly  Father 
feedeth  them.    Are  not  you  of  much  more  value  than  they  1 
And  which  of  you,  by  thinking  can  add  to  his  stature  one 
cubit?     And  for  raiment  why  are  you  solicitous 7  Con- 
sider  the  lilies  of  the  field,  how  they  grow  ;  they  labor  not, 
neither  do  they  spin  ;  and  yet  I  say  to  you,  that  not  even 
Solomon,  in  all  his  glory,  was  arrayed  as  one  of  these. 
Now,  if  God  so  clothe  the  grass  of  the  field,  which  to-day 
is,  and  to-morrow  is  cast  into  the  oven  ;  how  much  more 
you,  O  ye  of  little  faith  ?     Be  not  solicitous,  therefore,  say- 
ing ;  "What  shall  we  eat,  or  what  shall  we  drink,  or  where- 
with shall  we  be  clothed  ?     For  after  all  these  things  do 
the  heathen  seek.     For  your  Father  knoweth  that  you 
have  need  of  all  these  things.    Seek  ye,  therefore,  first  the 
kingdom  of  God,  and  his  justice ;  and  all  these  things  shall 
be  added  unto  you.     (Matt.  vi.  25—33.) 

Labor  not  for  the  meat  which  perishelh,  but  for  that 


SOLICITUDE    FOR   THE    MORROW.  237 

which  endureth  unto  life  everlasting,  which  the  Son  of 
man  will  give  you.     (John  vi.  27.) 

This  therefore,  I  say,  brethren ;  the  time  is  short.  It 
reraaineth,  that  they  that  buy,  should  be  as  though  they 
possessed  not ;  and  they  that  use  this  world,  as  if  they 
used  it  not :  for  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away. 
I  would  have  you  to  be  without  solicitude.  (1  Car.  vii. 
29—32.) 

Godliness  with  contentment  is  great  gain.  For  we 
brought  nothing  into  this  world;  and  certainly  we  can 
carry  nothing  out.  But  having  food,  and  wherewith  to  be 
covered,  with  these  we  are  content.  For  they  that  will 
become  rich,  fall  into  temptation,  and  into  the  snare  of 
the  devil,  and  into  many  unprofitable  and  hurtful  desires, 
which  drown  men  into  destruction  and  perdition.  For  the 
desire  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evils  ;  which  some  covet- 
ing, have  erred  from  the  faith  and  have  entangled  them- 
selves in  many  sorrows.  But  thou,  O  man  of  God,  fly 
these  things,  and  pursue  justice,  godliness,  faith,  charity, 
patience,  mildness.  Fight  the  good  fight  of  faith;  lay  hold 
on  eternal  life  whereunto  thou  art  called.  (1  Tim. 
vi.  6—12.) 

Be  nothing  solicitous  ;  but  in  every  thing,  by  prayer  and 
supplication  with  thanksgiving,  let  your  petitions  be  made 
known  to  God.  And  the  peace  of  God,  which  surpasseth 
all  understanding,  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  Christ 
Jesus.     {Fhil  iv.  6 — 7.) 

Cast  all  your  care  upon  the  Lord,  for  He  hath  care  of 
you.  (2  Pet.  v.  7.)  Be  not  solicitous  about  any  thing,  but 
in  every  thing  by  prayer  and  supplication  with  thanks- 
giving let  your  petitions  be  made  known  to  God.  And  the 
peace  of  God,  which  surpasseth  all  understanding,  keep 
your  hearts  and  minds  in  Christ  Jesus.     {Phil.  iv.  6,  7.) 


238  THE   NIGHT  COMETH. 


THE  NIGHT  COMETH,  WHEN  NO  MAN  CAN 

WORK. 

/  must  work  the  work  of  Him  that  sent  me, 
whilst  it  is  day ;  the  night  cometh,  when  no  man 
can  work.  Yet  a  little  while,  the  light  is  among 
you,  walk  whilst  you  have  the  light,  that  the  dark- 
ness overtake  you  not ;  for  he  that  walketh  in  dark- 
ness knoweth  not  whither  he  goeth.  St.  John  ix. 
4.  xii.  35. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude. 

Brethken,  see  how  you  walk  circumspectly,  not  as  un- 
wise, but  as  wise;  redeeming  the  time.  {Eph.  v.  15,  16.) 
For  we  are  sojourners  before  Thee,  and  strangers,  as  all 
our  fathers  were.  Our  days  upon  earth  are  as  a  shadow ; 
and  there  is  no  stay.     (1  Paral.  xxix.  15.) 

Whatsoever  thy  hand  is  able  to  do,  do  it  earnestly ;  for 
neither  work,  nor  reason,  nor  wisdom,  nor  knowledge, 
shall  be  in  the  grave  whereto  thou  art  hastening.  {Eccles. 
ix.  10.)  For  the  grave  shall  not  confess  to  thee;  neither 
shall  death  praise  thee ;  nor  shall  they  that  go  down  into 
the  pit  look  for  thy  truth.  The  living,  the  living,  he  shall 
give  praise  to  thee.     {Isa.  xxxviii.  18,  19.) 

The  light  is  sweet,  and  it  is  delightful  for  the  eyes  to  see 
the  sun.  If  a  man  live  many  years,  and  have  rejoiced  in 
them  all,  he  must  remember  the  darksome  time,  and  the 
many  days  in  which  when  they  shall  come,  the  things 
passed  shall  be  accused  of  vanity.     (Eccles.  xi.  7,  8.) 

Walk,  therefore,  with  wisdom,  redeeming  the  time,  for 
the  days  are  evil.     (Col.  iv.  5.) 

The  angel  whom  I  saw  standing  upon  the  sea,  and  upon 
the  earth,  lifted  up  his  hand  to  heaven,  and  swore  by  Him 


\< 


PERSEVERANCE    TO   THE    END.  239 

that  liveth  forever  and  ever,  who  created  heaven,  and  the 
things  which  are  therein ;  and  the  earth,  and  the  things 
which  are  in  it ;  and  the  sea,  and  the  things  which  are 
therein ;  that  Time  shall  be  no  longer.     (Apoc.  x.  3,  6.) 


PERSEVERANCE  TO  THE  END. 

He  that  shall  persevere  to  the  end,  he  shall  be 
saved.     St.  Matt.  xxiv.  13. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

CoNTiiTUE  in  the  faith,  grounded  and  settled,  and  im- 
moveable from  the  hope  of  the  gospel  which  you  have 
heard,  which  is  preached  in  all  the  creation  that  is  under 
heaven.  (Co/,  i.  23.)  This  is  charity,  that  we  walk  ac- 
cording to  his  commandments.  For  this  is  the  command- 
ment, that,  as  you  have  heard  from  the  beginning,  you 
should  walk  in  the  same.  Look  to  yourselves,  that  you 
lose  not  the  things  which  you  have  wrought,  but  that  you 
may  receive  a  full  reward.  Whosoever  revolteth  and  con- 
tinueth  not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  hath  not  God;  he  that 
continueth  in  the  doctrine,  the  same  hath  both  the  Father 
and  the  Son.     (2  John  i.  6—9.) 

Of  this  am  I  confident,  that  He,  who  hath  begun  a  good 
work  in  you,  will  perfect  it  unto  the  day  of  Christ  Jesus. 
(PAtV.  i.  6.)  And  which  of  you  having  a  mind  to  build  a 
tower,  doth  not  first  sit  down  and  reckon  the  charges  that 
are  necessary,  whether  he  have  wherewithal  to  finish  it. 
Lest,  after  he  hath  laid  the  foundation,  and  is  not  able  to 
finish  it,  all  that  see  it  begin  to  mock  him,  saying ;  This 
man  began  to  build,  and  was  not  able  to  finish.  {Lukt 
xiv.  28—30.) 

Brethren,  be  not  weary  in  well  doing:  (2  Theas.  iii.  13,) 


I 


" 


240  PERSEVERANCE   TO   THE    END. 

for,  in  due  time,  we  shall  reap,  not  failing.  (^Gal.  vi.  9.) 
For  God  is  not  unjust,  that  He  should  forget  your  work, 
and  the  love  which  you  have  shown  in  his  name,  you  who 
have  ministered,  and  do  minister  to  the  saints.  And  we 
desire  that  every  one  of  you  should  show  forth  the  same 
carefulness  to  the  accomplishing  of  hope  unto  the  end  ; 
that  you  become  not  slothful,  but  followers  of  them,  who, 
through  faith  and  patience,  shall  inherit  the  promises. 
{Heb.  vi.  10—13.) 

Look  to  yourselves,  that  you  lose  not  the  things  which 
you  have  wrought ;  but  that  you  may  receive  a  full  re- 
ward. (2  John  i.  8.)  Labor  as  a  good  soldier  of  Christ 
Jesus.  No  man,  being  a  soldier  to  God,  entangleth  him- 
self with  worldly  business,  that  he  may  please  him  to 
whom  he  hath  engaged  himself  He  that  striveth  for  the 
mastery,  is  not  crowned,  except  he  strive  lawfully.  (2  Tim. 
ii.  3 — 5.)  One  thing  I  do ;  forgetting  the  things  that  are 
behind,  and  stretching  forth  myself  to  those  that  are  be-  jjj 
fore,  I  push  forward  towards  the  mark,  for  the  prize  of  the  t 
supernal  vocation  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus.  (P/w7.  iii.  13,  | 
14.)  I  have  fought  a  good  fight;  I  have  finished  my  I 
course ;  I  have  kept  the  faith.  For  the  rest,  there  is  laid  | 
up  for  me  a  crown  of  justice,  which  the  Lord,  the  just 
judge,  will  render  to  me  at  that  day;  and  not  to  me  only, 
but  to  them  also,  who  love  his  coming.     (2  Tim.  iv.  7,  8.) 

Be  watchful,  and  strengthen  the  things  that  remain. 
Labor  the  more,  that,  by  good  works,  you  make  sure  your 
vocation  and  election ;  for  so,  an  entrance  shall  be  minis- 
tered to  you  abundantly  into  the  everlasting  kingdom  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.     (2  Pet.  i.  10,  11.) 

That  which  you  have,  hold  fast  till  I  come ;  . . .  keep 
my  words  unto  the  end.  Behold,  I  come  quickly ;  hold 
fast  that  which  thou  hast,  that  no  man  take  thy  crown. 
{Apoc.  ii.  25,  26.) 


■ 


THE   DEAD    THAT   DIE    IN   THE    LORD.  241 

Brethren,  fall  not  from  your  stedfastness,  but  increase 
in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ.  To  him  be  glory  both  now  and  unto  the 
day  of  eternity.  Amen.     (2  Pet.  iii.  18,) 


THE  DEAD  THAT  DIE  IN  THE   LORD. 

/  heard  a  voice  from  heaven^  saying  unto  me ; 
Write :  Blessed  are  the  dead  who  die  in  the  Lord  ; 
from  henceforth  now,  saith  the  Spirit,  they  may 
rest  from  their  labors,  for  their  works  follow  them. 
Apocalypse  xiv.  13. 

BEHoiDiifG  the  promises  afar  off,  and  saluting  them, 
and  confessing  that  we  are  pilgrims  and  strangers  on  the 
earth,  desiring  a  better,  that  is  to  say,  a  heavenly  country ; 
for  here  we  have  no  permanent  city,  but  we  seek  one  to 
come.  (Heb.xi.  13, 16.)  For  we  know,  that,  if  our  earthly 
house  of  this  habitation  be  dissolved,  we  have  a  building 
of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  hea- 
vens. For  which  cause  we  faint  not;  but  though  our 
outward  man  is  corrupted,  yet  the  inward  man  is  renewed 
day  by  day.     (3  Cor.  v.  1,  16.) 

I  die  daily.  (1  Cor.  xv.  31.)  While  we  are  in  the  body, 
we  are  absent  from  the  Lord ;  having  a  good  will  rather 
to  be  absent  from  the  body,  and  to  be  present  with  the 
Lord.  (2  Cor.  vii.  6,  8.)  Christ  shall  be  magnified  in  my 
body,  whether  it  be  by  life,  or  by  death ;  for  to  me,  to  live 
is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain.  And  if  to  live  in  the  flesh, 
this  is  to  me  the  fruit  of  labor,  and  which  to  choose  I 
know  not,  but  am  straitened  between  both;  having  a  de- 
sire to  be  dissolved,  and  to  be  with  Christ.  (PAzV.  i.  20 — 
23.)    For  the  corruptible    body  is  a  load  upon  the  soul, 

21 


242  MAN   MUST   DIE. 

and  the  earthly  habitation  presseth  down  the  mind.  (Wis' 
dom  ix.  15.) 

For  none  of  us  liveth  to  himself;  and  no  man  dieth 
to  himself.  For  whether  we  live,  we  live  unto  the  Lord ; 
or  whether  we  die,  we  die  unto  the  Lord.  Therefore, 
whether  we  live  or  whether  we  die,  we  are  the  Lord's. 
For  to  this  end  Christ  died  and  rose  again,  that  he  might 
be  Lord  both  of  the  dead  and  of  the  living.  {Rom.  xiv. 
7 — 9.)  A  faithful  saying ;  If  we  be  dead  with  Christ,  we 
shall  also  live  with  Him.  (2  Tim.  ii.  11.)  For  to  me  to  live 
is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain,     (JPhil.  i.  21.) 

Behold,  I  come  quickly,  and  my  reward  is  with  me,  to 
render  to  every  man  according  to  his  works.  Surely,  I 
come  quickly.  Amen.  Even  so,  come,  Lord  Jesus.  {Apoc. 
xxii.  12,  20.) 


IT  IS  APPOINTED  FOR  ALL  MEN  ONCE  TO  DIE. 

Amen,  amen  I  say  to  you,  unless  the  grain  of 
wheat  falling  into  the  ground,  die  ;  itself  remaineth 
alone ;  hut  if  it  die,  it  bringeth  forth  much  fruit. 
John  xii.  24,  25. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

It  is  appointed  for  men  once  to  die,  and  after  this  the 
judgment.     (Heb.  ix.  27.) 

God  created  man  incorruptible,  and  to  the  image  of  his 
own  likeness  He  made  him.  But  by  the  envy  of  the 
devil,  death  came  into  the  world  :  and  they  follow  him  that 
are  of  his  side.  For  God  made  not  death,  neither  hath 
He  pleasure  in  the  destruction  of  the  living ;  for  He  cre- 
ated all  things  that  they  might  be  ;  and  He  made  the  nations 
of  the  earth  for  health ;  and  there  is  no  poison  of  destruc- 


MAN    MUST   DIE.  243 

tion  in  ihem,  nor  kingdom  of  hell  upon  the  earth:  for 
justice  is  perpetual  and  immortal.  But  the  wicked  with 
works  and  words  have  called  it  to  them ;  and  esteeming  it 
a  friend,  have  fallen  away,  and  have  made  a  covenant 
with  it,  because  they  are  worthy  to  be  of  the  part  thereof. 
(Wisdom  i.  13 — 15.  ii.  23 — 25.)  When  concupiscence 
hath  conceived,  it  bringeth  forth  sin ;  and  sin,  when  it  is 
completed,  begetteth  death.     (James  i.  15.) 

Thou  shalt  return  to  the  earth,  out  of  which  thou  wast 
taken ;  for  dust  thou  art,  and  into  dust  thou  shalt  return. 
(Gen.  in.  19.)  They  who  dwell  in  houses  of  clay,  and 
who  have  an  earthly  foundation,  shall  be  consumed  as 
with  the  moth.  From  morning  till  evening  they  shall  be 
cut  down.  (Job.  iv.  19,  20.)  Behold  I  tell  you  a  mystery. 
We  shall  all  indeed  rise  again,  but  we  shall  not  all  be 
changed.  In  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  at  the 
last  trumpet ;  for  the  trumpet  shall  sound,  and  the  dead 
shall  rise  again  incorruptible,  and  we  shall  be  changed. 
For  this  corruptible  must  put  on  incorruption,  and  this 
mortal  must  put  on  immortality.  And  when  this  mortal 
hath  put  on  immortality,  then  shall  come  to  pass  the  say- 
ing that  is  written  ;  Death  is  swallowed  up  in  victory.  O 
death,  where  is  thy  victory  1  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting  1 
Now  the  sting  of  death  is  sin  ;  and  the  strength  of  sin  is 
the  law.  But  thanks  be  to  God  who  has  given  us  the  vic- 
tory through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ !  Therefore,  my  beloved 
brethren,  be  ye  stedfast  and  immoveable,  always  abound- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  knowing  that  your  labor  is 
not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.     (1  Cor.  xv.  51 — 58.) 


244  DEATH   OF    THE    WICKED. 


DEATH  OF  THE  WICKED. 

/  go,  and  you  shall  seek  me,  and  you  shall  die  in 
your  sin,     John  viii.  21. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Scribes  and  Pharisees. 

This  I  know  from  the  beginning,  since  man  was  placed 
upon  the  earth,  that  the  praise  of  the  wicked  is  short,  and 
the  joy  of  the  hypocrite  but  for  a  moment.  If  his  pride 
mount  up  even  to  heaven,  and  his  head  touch  the  clouds  ; 
in  the  end  he  shall  be  destroyed  like  a  dunghill ;  and  they 
that  had  seen  him,  shall  say  :  Where  is  hel  As  a  dream 
that  fleeth  away  he  shall  not  be  found;  he  shall  pass  as  a 
vision  of  the  night :  the  eyes  that  had  seen  him,  shall  see 
him  no  more ;  neither  shall  his  place  any  more  behold 
him.  The  heavens  shall  reveal  his  iniquity,  and  the  earth 
shall  rise  up  against  him.  The  offspring  of  his  house 
shall  be  exposed,  he  shall  be  pulled  down  in  the  day  of 
God's  wrath.  This  is  the  portion  of  a  wicked  man  from 
God,  and  the  inheritance  of  his  doings  from  the  Lord.  His 
bones  shall  be  filled  with  the  vices  of  his  youth  ;  and  they 
shall  sleep  with  him  in  the  dust.  (Job.  xx.  4 — 29.)  The 
sinner  being  a  hundred  years  old  shall  die  accursed.  (Isa. 
Ixv.  20.) 

When  the  wicked  were  lifted  up.  Thou  has  cast  them 
down.  How  are  they  brought  to  desolation !  they  have 
suddenly  ceased  to  be ;  they  have  perished  by  reason  of 
their  iniquity.  As  the  dream  of  them  that  awake,  O  Lord  ; 
so  in  thy  city  Thou  shalt  bring  their  image  to  nothing. 
(Ps.  Ixvii.  18—20.) 

The  just  shall  stand  with  great  constancy  against  those 
that  have  afflicted  them,  and  taken  away  their  labors. 
These  seeing  it,  shall  be  troubled  with  terrible  fear,  and 


DEATH    OF    THE    WICKED.  245 

shall  be  amazed  at  the  suddenness  of  their  unexpected 
salvation,  saying  within  themselves,  repenting  and  groan- 
ing for  anguish  of  spirit;  These  are  they  whom  we  had 
sometime  in  derision,  and  for  a  parable  of  reproach.  We 
fools  esteemed  their  life  madness,  and  their  end  without 
honor ;  behold,  how  they  are  numbered  among  the  children 
of  God,  and  their  lot  is  among  the  saints.  Therefore  we 
have  erred  from  the  way  of  truth  ;  and  the  light  of  justice 
hath  not  shined  unto  us ;  and  the  sun  of  understanding 
hath  not  risen  upon  us.  We  wearied  ourselves  in  the 
way  of  iniquity  and  destruction,  and  have  walked  through 
hard  ways,  but  the  way  of  the  Lord  we  have  not  known. 
What  hath  pride  profited  us,  or  what  advantage  hath  the 
boasting  of  riches  brought  us?  All  those  things  are  past 
away  like  a  shadow,  and  like  a  post  that  runneth  on  ;  and 
as  a  ship  that  passeth  through  the  waves,  whereof  when 
it  is  gone  by,  the  trace  cannot  be  found,  nor  the  path  of 
its  keel  in  the  waters  ;  or  as  when  a  bird  flieth  through 
the  air,  of  the  passage  of  which  no  mark  can  be  found, 
but  only  the  sound  of  the  wings  beating  the  light  air,  and 
parting  it  by  the  force  of  her  flight ;  she  moved  her  wings, 
and  hath  flown  through,  and  there  is  no  mark  found  after- 
wards of  her  way ;  or  as,  when  an  arrow  is  shot  at  a  mark, 
the  divided  air  presently  cometh  together  again,  so  that 
the  passage  thereof  is  not  known.  So  we  also,  being  born, 
forthwith  cease  to  be;  and  have  been  able  to  show  no 
mark  of  virtue,  bat  are  consumed  in  our  wickedness. 
Such  things  as  these  the  sinners  said  in  hell :  for  the  hope 
of  the  wicked  is  as  dust,  which  is  blown  away  with  the 
wind ;  and  as  a  thin  froth  which  is  dispersed  with  the 
storm;  and  as  smoke  that  is  scattered  abroad  by  the  wind ; 
and  as  the  remembrance  of  a  guest  of  one  day  that  passeth 
by.     (Wisdom  V.  I — 15.) 

The  just  that  is  dead,  condemneth  the  wicked  that  are 
21* 


240  DEATH    OF    THE    JUST. 

living;  and  youth  soon  ended,  the  long  life  of  the  unjust. 
For  they  shall  see  the  end  of  the  wise  man,  and  shall  not 
understand  what  God  hath  designed  for  him,  and  why  the 
Lord  hath  set  him  in  safety.  They  shall  see  him,  and 
shall  despise  him ;  but  the  Lord  shall  laugh  them  to  scorn. 
(Wisdom  iv.  16 — 18.)  It  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  living  God!     (Heb.  x.  31.) 


DEATH  OF  THE  JUST. 

Amen,  amen,  I  say  unto  you,  if  any  man  keep  my 
word,  he  shall  not  see  death  for  ever.  St.  John  viii.  5 1 . 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Let  my  soul  die  the  death  of  the  just,  and  my  last  end 
be  like  unto  his  !  (Numb,  xxiii.  10.)  How  precious  in 
the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his  saints  !  (Ps. 
cxv.  14.) 

The  just  man,  if  he  be  prevented  with  death,  shall  be  in 
rest.  For  venerable  old  age  is  not  that  of  long  time,  nor 
counted  by  the  number  of  years ;  but  the  understanding 
of  a  man  is  grey  hairs,  and  a  spotless  life  is  old  age.  He 
pleased  God,  and  was  beloved,  and,  living  among  sinners, 
was  translated.  He  was  taken  away,  lest  wickedness 
should  alter  his  understanding,  or  deceit  beguile  his  soul. 
For  the  bewitching  of  vanity  obscureth  good  things ;  and 
the  wandering  of  concupiscence  overturneth  the  innocent 
mind.  Being  made  perfect  in  a  short  space,  he  fulfilled 
a  long  time ;  for  his  soul  pleased  God,  therefore  He  hast- 
ened to  bring  him  out  of  the  midst  of  iniquities.  But  the 
people  see  this,  and  understand  not,  nor  lay  up  such  things 
in  their  hearts — that  the  grace  of  God  and  his  mercy  are 
with  his  saints,  and  that  He  hath  respect  to  his  chosen. 


MOURNING  FOR  THE  DEAD.         247 

The  just  shall  live  for  evermore ;  their  reward  is  with  the 
Lord,  and  the  care  of  them  with  the  most  High.  There- 
fore shall  they  receive  a  kingdom  of  glor)'-,  and  a  crown 
of  beauty  at  the  hand  of  the  Lord  ;  for  with  his  right  hand 
He  will  cover  them,  and  with  his  holy  arm  He  will  de- 
fend them.     (Wisdom  iv.  7—15.  v.  16,  17.) 

Hear  counsel,  and  receive  instruction,  that  thou  mayst 
be  wise  in  thy  latter  end.  (Prov.  xix.  20.)  O  that  they 
would  be  wise,  and  would  understand,  and  would  provide 
for  their  last  end !  (Deut.  xxxii.  29.)  Think  on  thy  latter 
end,  and  thou  shalt  never  sin.     (  Wisdojn  v.  12.) 

If  we  believe  that  Jesus  died  and  rose  again,  even  so 
them  who  have  slept  through  Jesus,  will  God  bring  with 
Him.  (1  T/iess.  iv.  13.)  God  giveth  sleep  to  his  beloved. 
(P.s.  cxxvi.  2.)  They  stoned  Stephen,  invoking  and  say- 
ing ;  Lord  Jesus,  receive  my  spirit.  And  falling  on  his 
knees,  he  cried  with  a  loud  voice,  saying ;  Lord,  lay  not 
this  sin  to  their  charge !  And  when  he  had  said  this,  he 
fell  asleep  in  the  Lord.     (Acts  vii.  58,  59.) 


NOT  TO  MOURN  FOR  THE  DEAD  AS  MEN 
WITHOUT  HOPE. 

Why  make  you  this  ado,  and  weep  ?  St.  Luke 
V.  39. 

Wards  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  inmates  of  the  house  of  the 
ruler  of  the  synagogue,  whose  daughter  was  lying  dead. 

We  will  not  have  you  ignorant,  brethren,  concerning 
them  that  are  asleep,  that  you  be  not  sorrowful  even  as 
others  who  have  no  hope ;  for  if  we  believe  that  Jesus 
died,  and  rose  again,  even  so  them  who  have  slept  through 


248         MOURNING  FOR  THE  DEAD. 

Jesus,  God  will  bring  with  Him.    Wherefore,  comfort  yc 
one  another  with  these  words.     (1  Thess.  iv.  12,  17.) 

The  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  me,  saying;  Son  of  man, 
behold,  I  take  from  thee  the  desire  of  thy  eyes  with  a 
stroke ;  and  thou  shalt  not  lament,  nor  weep,  neither  shall 
thy  tears  run  down.  Sigh  in  silence  ;  make  no  mourning 
for  the  dead ;  let  the  tire  of  thy  head  be  upon  thee,  and  thy 
shoes  on  thy  feet ;  and  cover  not  thy  face,  nor  eat  the 
meat  of  mourners.  And  my  wife  died  in  the  evening,  and 
I  did  in  the  morning  as  the  Lord  had  commanded  me.  And 
the  people  said  to  me ;  Why  doest  thou  not  tell  us  what 
these  things  mean  that  thou  dost  1  And  I  said  to  them : 
The  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  me,  saying ;  You  shall  do 
as  I  have  done ;  you  shall  not  cover  your  face,  nor  shall 
you  eat  the  meat  of  mourners.  You  shall  have  crowns 
on  your  heads,  and  shoes  on  your  feet;  you  shall  not 
lament  nor  weep;  but  you  shall  pine  away  for  your 
iniquities  ;  and  every  one  shall  sigh  with  his  brother. 
{Eze.  xxiv.  15—23.) 

And  David  said  to  Nathan  ;  I  have  sinned  against  the 
Lord.  And  Nathan  said  to  David ;  The  Lord  hath  also 
taken  away  thy  sin;  thou  shalt  not  die.  Nevertheless, 
because  thou  hast  given  occasion  to  the  enemies  of  the 
Lord  to  blaspheme,  for  this  thing,  the  child  that  is  born  to 
thee  shall  surely  die.  And  Nathan  returned  to  his  house. 
The  Lord  also  struck  the  child  which  the  wife  of  Urias 
had  borne  to  David ;  and  his  life  was  despaired  of.  And 
David  besought  the  Lord  for  the  child ;  and  he  kept  a  fast, 
and,  going  in  by  himself,  lay  upon  the  ground.  And  the 
ancients  of  his  house  came  to  make  him  rise  from  the 
ground,  but  he  would  not,  neither  did  he  eat  meat  with 
them.  And  it  came  to  pass  on  the  seventh  day,  that  the 
child  died ;  and  the  servants  of  David  feared  to  tell  him 
that  the  child  was  dead.    For  they  said;  Behold,  when 


MOURNING    FOR    THE    DEAD.  249 

the  child  was  yet  alive,  we  spoke  to  him,  and  he  would 
not  hearken  to  our  voice;  how  much  more  will  he  afflict 
himself,  if  we  tell  him  that  the  child  is  dead?  But  when 
David  saw  his  servants  whispering,  he  understood  that 
the  child  was  dead;  and  he  said  to  his  servants;  Is  the 
child  dead?  They  answered  him;  He  is  dead.  Then 
David  arose  from  the  ground,  and  washed,  and  anointed 
himself;  and  when  he  had  changed  his  apparel,  he  went 
into  the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  worshipped ;  and  then  he 
came  into  his  own  house,  and  he  called  for  bread,  and  ate. 
And  his  servants  said  to  him ;  What  thing  is  this  that 
thou  hast  done?  thou  didst  fast  and  weep  for  the  child, 
while  it  was  alive ;  but  when  the  child  was  dead,  thou 
didst  rise  up,  and  eat  bread.  And  he  said;  While  the 
child  was  yet  aliv^e,  I  fasted  and  vvept  for  him,  for  I  said; 
Who  knoweth  whether  the  Lord  may  not  give  him  to  me, 
and  the  child  may  live  ?  But  now  that  he  is  dead,  why 
should  I  fast  1  Shall  I  be  able  to  bring  him  back  any 
more?  I  shall  go  to  him  rather;  but  he  shall  not  return 
to  me.     (2  Kings  xii.  13—23.) 

The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  died  for  us,  that,  whether  we 
wake  or  sleep,  we  may  live  together  with  Him.  Where- 
fore, comfort  one  another,  and  edify  one  another.  (I  Thess. 
v.  9 — U.)  Rejoice  with  them  that  rejoice,  weep  with 
them  that  weep.  Be  of  one  mind  one  towards  another. 
(Rom.  xii.  15,  16.) 

Epaphroditus,  my  brother  and  fellow  laborer,  longed 
after  you  all,  and  was  sad,  for  that  you  had  heard  that  he 
was  sick.  For,  indeed,  he  was  sick  nigh  unto  death  ;  but 
God  had  mercy  on  him ;  and  not  only  on  him,  but  on  me 
also,  lest  I  should  have  sorrow  upon  sorrow.  Therefore, 
I  sent  him  the  more  speedily,  that,  seeing  him  again,  you 
may  rejoice,  and  I  may  be  without  sorrow.  (Phil.  ii. 
25—28.) 


250  CHRIST,  WHO    LOVED    US    TO    THE    END. 

God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes,  and 
death  shall  be  no  more,  nor  mourning,  nor  crying,  nor 
sorrow  shall  be  any  more  :  for  the  former  things  are 
passed  away.     (Apoc.  xxi.  4.) 


CHRIST  HAVING  LOVED  US,  HE  LOVED  US  TO 

THE  END. 

Jn  my  Father'' s  house  there  are  many  mansions^ 

and  I  go  to  prepare  a  place  for  you.    And  if  I  shall 

go,  and  prepare  a  place  for  you,  I  will  come  again, 

and  will  take  you  to  myself;  that  where  I  am,  you 

also  may  be.     St.  John  xiv.  2,  3. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples,  in  his  discourse 
on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

Jesus  having  loved  his  own,  who  were  in  the  world,  he 
loved  them  to  the  end.     (John  xiii.  1.) 

And  Jesus  said  to  his  disciples ;  I  will  not  leave  you 
orphans;  I  will  come  to  you.  Yet  a  little  while,  and  the 
world  seeth  me  no  more.  But  you  see  me,  because  I  live, 
and  you  shall  live.  In  that  day  you  shall  know  that  I  am 
in  my  Father,  and  you  in  me,  and  I  in  you.  He  that  hath 
my  commandments,  and  keepeth  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth 
me.  And  he  that  loveth  me  shall  be  loved  of  my  Father, 
and  I  will  love  him,  and  will  manifest  myself  to  him. 
Judas  saith  to  him  (not  the  Iscariot;)  Lord,  how  is  it,  that 
Thou  wilt  manifest  thyself  to  us,  and  not  to  the  world  1 
Jesus  answered,  and  said  to  him ;  If  any  one  love  me,  he 
will  keep  my  word,  and  my  Father  will  love  him,  and  we 
will  come  to  him,  and  will  make  our  abode  with  him.  In 
this  is  my  Father  glorified,  that  you  bring  forth  very 
much  fruit,  and  become  my  disciples.    As  the  Father  hath 


Christ's  love.  251 

loved  me,  I  also  have  loved  you.  Abide  in  my  love.  If 
you  keep  my  commandments,  you  shall  abide  in  my  love ; 
as  I  also  have  kept  my  Father's  commandments,  and  do 
abide  in  his  love.  These  things  I  have  spoken  to  you, 
that  my  joy  may  be  in  you,  and  your  joy  may  be  filled. 
This  is  my  commandment,  that  you  love  one  another,  as 
I  have  loved  you.  (John  xiv.  18 — 23.  xv.  8 — 12.) 
Prayer  of  our  Blessed  Lard  for  his  disciples. 

These  things  Jesus  spoke,  and  lifting  up  his  eyes  to 
heaven,  he  said ;  Father,  the  hour  is  come ;  glorify  thy  Son, 
that  thy  Son  may  glorify  Thee.  As  Thou  hast  given  him 
power  over  all  flesh,  that  he  may  give  life  everlasting  to 
all  whom  Thou  hast  given  him.  And  this  is  life  everlast- 
ing, that  they  may  know  Thee,  the  only  true  God,  and 
Jesus  Christ,  whom  Thou  hast  sent.  I  have  glorified 
Thee  upon  earth ;  I  have  finished  the  work  which  Thou 
hast  given  me  to  do.  And  now  glorify  Thou  me,  O  Fa- 
ther, with  thyself,  with  the  glory  which  I  had  with  Thee 
before  the  world  was.  I  have  manifested  thy  name  to 
the  men  whom  Thou  hast  given  me  out  of  the  world. 
Thine  they  were,  and  to  me  Thou  gavest  them,  and  they 
have  kept  thy  word.  Now  they  have  known  that  all 
things  which  Thou  hast  given  me  are  from  thee ;  because 
the  words  which  Thou  gavest  me,  I  have  given  to  them; 
and  they  have  received  thiem,  and  have  known  in  very 
deed  that  I  came  out  from  Thee,  and  they  have  believed 
that  Thou  didst  send  me.  I  pray  for  them  ;  I  pray  not  for 
the  world,  but  for  them  whom  thou  hast  given  me,  be- 
cause they  are  thine;  and  all  things  are  thine,  and  thine 
are  mine  ;  and  I  am  glorified  in  them.  And  now  I  am  not 
in  the  world,  and  these  are  in  the  world,  and  I  come  to 
Thee.  Holy  Father,  keep  them  in  thy  name,  whom  Thou 
hast  given  me,  that  they  may  be  one,  as  we  also  are. 
While  1  was  with  them,  I  kept  them  in  thy  name.    Those 


252  Christ's  love. 

whom  Thou  gavest  me,  I  have  kept,  and  none  of  them  hath 
perished,  except  the  son  of  perdition,  that  the  Scripture 
may  be  fulfilled. 

And  now  I  come  to  Thee;  and  these  things  I  speak  in 
the  world,  that  they  may  have  my  joy  filled  in  themselves. 
I  have  given  them  thy  word,  and  the  world  hath  hated 
them,  because  they  are  not  of  the  world;  as  I  also  am 
not  of  the  world.  I  pray  not  that  Thou  shouldst  take 
them  out  of  the  world,  but  that  Thou  shouldst  keep  them 
from  evil.  They  are  not  of  the  world ;  as  I  also  am  not 
of  the  world.  Sanctify  them  in  truth.  Thy  word  is  truth. 
As  Thou  hast  sent  me  into  the  world,  I  also  have  sent 
them  into  the  world.  And  for  them  do  I  sanctify  myself, 
that  they  also  may  be  sanctified  in  truth. 

And  not  for  them  only  do  I  pray,  but  for  them  also  who, 
through  their  word,  shall  believe  in  me ;  that  they  all  may 
be  one,  as  thou,  Father,  in  me,  and  I  in  Thee ;  that  they 
also  may  be  one  in  us  ;  that  the  world  may  believe  that 
Thou  hast  sent  me.  And  the  glory  which  Thou  hast  given 
me,  I  have  given  to  them ;  that  they  may  be  one,  as  we 
also  are  one.  I  in  them,  and  Thou  in  me :  that  they  may 
be  made  perfect  in  one ;  and  that  the  world  may  know 
that  Thou  hast  sent  me,  and  hast  loved  them,  as  Thou 
hast  also  loved  me.  Father,  I  will  that  where  I  am,  they 
also  whom  Thou  hast  given  me  may  be  with  me;  that 
they  may  see  my  glory  which  Thou  hast  given  me,  be- 
cause Thou  hast  loved  me  before  the  creation  of  the 
world.  Just  Father,  the  world  hath  not  known  Thee ;  but 
I  have  known  Thee ;  and  these  have  known,  that  Thou 
hast  sent  me.  And  I  have  made  known  thy  name  to  them, 
and  will  make  it  known;  that  the  love  wherewith  Thou 
hast  loved  me,  m9.y  be  in  them,  and  I  in  them.  {John 
xvii.  1—26.) 


THE    OBEDIENCE    OF    CHRIST.  253 


THE  OBEDIENCE  OF  CHRIST. 

/  came  down  from  heaven,  not  to  do  my  own  will, 
but  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  me.  Now  this  is  the 
will  of  Him  that  sent  me,  the  Father  ;  That  all  that 
He  hath  given  me,  I  lose  not  thereof  bat  raise  it  up 
again  at  the  last  day.  And  this  is  the  will  of  my 
Father  who  sent  me;  That  every  one  who  seeth  the 
Son,  and  believeth  in  Him,  may  have  everlasting 
life;  and  I  will  raise  him  up  at  the  last  day,  St. 
John  vi.  38—40. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Sacrifice  and  oblation  Thou  didst  not  desire ;  burnt- 
ofTering  and  sin-offering  Thou  didst  not  require ;  then  said 
I :  Behold  I  come.  In  the  head  of  the  book  it  is  written 
of  me  that  I  should  do  thy  will :  O  my  God,  I  have  desired 
it.  {Ps.  sxxix.  7 — 9.)  Then  said  I,  Behold  I  come  to  do 
thy  will,  O  God !  In  the  which  will  we  are  sanctified  by 
the  oblation  of  the  body  of  Jesus  Christ  once.  He,  offering 
one  sacrifice  for  sins,  sitteth  forever  on  the  right  hand  of 
God ;  from  henceforth  expecting  until  his  enemies  be 
made  his  footstool.  For  by  one  oblation  He  hath  perfected 
forever  them  that  are  sanctified.     {Heb.  x.  9 — 14.) 

Christ  humbled  himself,  becoming  obedient  unto  death, 
even  the  death  of  the  cross ;  wherefore  God  hath  exalted 
Him.  {Phil.  ii.  8,  9.)  For  as  by  the  disobedience  of  one 
man,  many  were  made  sinners ;  so  also  by  the  obedience 
of  one,  many  shall  be  made  just.  {Kom.  v.  19.)  And 
whereas  indeed  He  was  the  Son  of  God,  He  learned  obe- 
dience by  the  things  which  He  sufiered ;  And  being  con- 
summated, He  became,  to  all  that  obey  Him,  the  cause  of 
eternal  salvation.     {Heb,  v.  8,  9.) 

22 


254  CHRIST    OUR    REDEEMER. 

Not  every  one  that  saith  to  me  ;  Lord,  Lord  !  shall  enter 
into  th^  kingdom  of  heaven ;  but  he  that  doth  the  will  of 
my  Father,  who  is  in  heaven,  he  shall  enter  into  the  king- 
dom of  heaven.     (Matt.  vii.  21.) 


CHRIST  OUR  REDEEMER. 

^s  Moses  lifted  up  the  serpent  in  the  desert^  so 
must  the  Son  of  man  be  lifted  up ;  that  whosoever 
believeth  in  Him^  may  not  perish^  but  may  have  life 
everlasting.  For  God  so  loved  the  world,  as  to  give 
his  only  begotten  Son;  that  whosoever  believeth 
in  Him,  may  not  perish,  but  may  have  life  everlast- 
ing. For  God  sent  not  his  Son  into  the  world,  to 
judge  the  world,  but  that  the  world  may  be  saved 
by  Him.     John  iii.  14—17. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  Nicodemus. 

Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  because  he  hath 
visited  and  wrought  the  redemption  of  his  people ;  and 
hath  raised  up  a  horn  of  salvation  to  us,  in  the  house  of 
David  his  servant.  As  He  spoke  by  the  mouth  of  his  holy 
prophets,  who  are  from  the  beginning  ;  Salvation  from  our 
enemies,  and  from  the  hand  of  all  that  hate  us.  To  per- 
form mercy  to  our  fathers,  and  to  remember  his  holy  tes- 
tament. The  oath  which  he  swore  to  Abraham  our  father, 
that  he  would  grant  to  us,  that,  being  delivered  from  the 
hand  of  our  enemies,  we  may  serve  Him  without  fear,  in 
holiness  and  justice  before  Him,  all  our  days.  (Luke  i. 
68—75.) 

Words  of  Zacharius,  inspired  by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

WuAT  I  delivered  unto  you  I  also  received,  how  that 
Christ  died  for  our  sins  according  to  the  Scriptures.    (1 


CHRIST   OUR   REDEEMER.  255 

Cor.  XV.  3.)  In  this  we  have  known  the  charity  of  God, 
because  He  hath  laid  down  his  life  for  us;  (1  John  iii. 
16.)  for  the  charity  of  Christ  presseth  us ;  judging  this, 
that  if  one  died  for  all,  then  all  were  dead.  And  Christ 
died  for  all,  that  they  also  who  live,  may  not  now  live  to 
themselves,  but  unto  Him  who  died  for  them  and  rose 
again.     (2  Cor.  v.  14,  15.) 

We  have  Christ  our  high  priest,  the  mmister  of  a  more 
perfect  tabernacle,  who,  neither  by  the  blood  of  goats,  nor 
of  calves,  but  by  his  own  blood,  entering  once  into  the 
sanctuary,  obtained  eternal  redemption.  For  if  the  blood 
of  goats  and  of  oxen,  sanctify  such  as  are  defiled,  how 
much  more  shall  the  blood  of  Christ,  who,  through  the 
Holy  Ghost,  offered  himself  unspotted  unto  God,  cleanse 
our  conscience  from  dead  works  to  serve  the  living  God  ] 
{Heh.  viii.  11—14.) 

Having  therefore,  brethren,  a  confidence  in  the  entering 
into  the  sanctuary  by  the  blood  of  Christ;  a  new  and 
living  way  which  He  hath  dedicated  for  us  through  the 
veil,  that  is  to  say,  his  flesh ;  let  us  draw  near  with  a  true 
heart  in  fulness  of  faith,  having  our  hearts  sprinkled  from 
an  evil  conscience  ;  for  if  we  sin  wilfully  after  having  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth,  there  is  now  left  no  sacrifice  for 
sins,  but  a  certain  dreadful  expectation  of  judgment,  and 
the  rage  of  a  fire  which  shall  consume  the  adversaries. 
A  man  making  void  the  law  of  Moses,  dieth  without  any 
mercy  under  two  or  three  witnesses  ;  how  much  more,  do 
you  think,  he  deserveth  worse  punishments  who  hath  trod- 
den under  foot  the  Son  of  God,  and  hath  esteemed  the 
blood  of  the  testament  unclean,  by  which  he  was  sancti- 
fied, and  hath  ofiTered  an  aff'ront  to  the  Spirit  of  grace  1  It 
is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  living  God  ! 
{Heb.  X.  19—31.) 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 


256      CHRIST,  THE    REDEEMER    OF    THE    WORLD. 

who  hath  made  us  acceptable  through  his  beloved  Son,  in 
whom  we  have  redemption  through  his  blood,  the  remis- 
sion of  sins,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  grace,  which 
hath  superabounded  in  us  in  all  wisdom ;  that  He  might 
make  known  to  us  the  mystery  of  his  will,  according  to 
his  good  pleasure,  which  He  hath  purposed  in  him.  To 
whom  be  glory  in  the  Church  and  in  Jesus  Christ,  through- 
out all  generations,  world  without  end.  Amen.  {Eph.  i. 
3—9.  iii.  28.) 


CHRIST,  THE  REDEEMER  OF  THE  WORLD. 

Look  up  and  lift  up  your  heads  ;  because  your 
redemption  is  at  hand.  The  Son  of  man  is  cotne 
to  give  his  life  a  redemption  for  many.  Luke  xxi. 
23.  Matt.  xx.  28. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  multitude. 

Jill  flesh  shall  see  the  salvation  from  God,  Luke 
iii.  6. 

Testimony  rendered  by  John  the  Baptist  to  Christ. 

Now  do  Thou  dismiss  thy  servant  in  peace,  O  Lord, 
according  to  thy  word,  because  my  eyes  have  seen  thy 
salvation,  which  Thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face  of 
all  people  ;  a  light  to  the  revelation  of  the  gentiles,  and 
the  glory  of  thy  people  Israel.  (Luke  ii.  29 — 32.) 
Words  of  the  aged  Simeon  in  the  Temple. 

And  Caiphas,  being  the  high  priest  of  that  year,  said  to 
the  Pharisees ;  You  do  not  consider  that  it  is  expedient 
for  you  that  one  man  should  die  for  the  people,  and  that 
the  whole  nation  perish  not.  And  this  he  spoke  not  of 
himself;  but  being  the  high  priest  of  that  year,  he  prophe- 
sied that  Jesus  should  die  for  the  nation  ;  and  not  only  for 


CHRIST,  THE    REDEEMER    OF    THE    WORLD.       257 

the  nation,  but  to  gather  together  in  one  the  children  of 
God,  that  were  dispersed.     {John  xi.  50 — 52.) 

God  our  Saviour  will  have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  to 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  For  there  is  one  God, 
and  one  mediator  of  God  and  men,  the  man  Christ  Jesus ; 
who  gave  himself  a  redemption  for  all,  a  testimony  in 
due  times.  (1  Tim.  ii.  4 — 6.)  The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Son  of  God,  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin.  He  is  the  pro- 
pitiation for  our  sins  :  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for 
those  of  the  whole  world.  (1  John  ii.  2.)  He  hath  deliv- 
ered his  soul  unto  death,  and  was  reputed  with  the  wicked, 
and  He  hath  borne  the  sins  of  many,  and  hath  prayed  for 
the  transgressors.     (7sa  liii.  12.) 

Be  ye  therefore  followers  of  God,  as  most  dear  children  ; 
and  walk  in  love,  as  Christ  also  hath  loved  us,  and  hath 
delivered  himself  for  us,  an  oblation  and  a  sacrifice  to 
God  for  an  odour  of  sweetness.  {Eph.  v.  1,  2.)  Knowing 
that  you  were  not  redeemed  with  corruptible  things,  as 
gold  or  silver,  from  your  vain  conversation  of  the  trai^i- 
tion  of  your  fathers ;  but  with  the  precious  blood  of  Christ, 
as  of  a  lamb  unspotted  and  undefiled,  who,  when  He  was 
reviled,  did  not  revile  ;  when  He  suffered,  He  threatened 
not ;  but  delivered  himself  to  him  that  judged  him  unjustly. 
Who  his  own  self  bore  our  sins  in  his  body  upon  the  tree, 
that  we,  being  dead  to  sins,  should  live  to  justice ;  by 
whose  stripes  you  were  healed.    (1  Pet.  i.  18, 19.  ii.  23,  24.) 

For  I  am  dead  to  the  law,  that  I  may  live  to  God ;  with 
Christ  I  am  nailed  to  the  cross.  And  I  live,  now  not  I ; 
but  Christ  liveth  in  me.  And  inasmuch  as  I  live  now  in 
the  flesh,  I  live  in  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  loved 
me,  and  delivered  himself  for  me.     {Gal.  ii.  19,  20.) 

Grace  be  to  you  and  peace  from  God  the  Father,  and 
from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  who  gave  Himself  for  our 
sins,  that  He  might  deliver  us  from  this  present  wicked 

22* 


258  THE    DEATH   OF    CHRIST. 

world,  according  to  the  will  of  God  and  our  Father ;  to 
whom  is  glory  forever  and  ever.    Amen.     (Gal  i.  3 — 5.) 


THE  DEATH  OF  CHRIST. 

When  you  shall  have  lifted  up  the  Son  of  man, 
then  shall  you  know  that  J  am  He.  ,  .  .  ^^nd  l,if  I 
be  lifted  up  from  the  earth,  will  draw  all  things  to 
m,yself.     St.  John  viii.  28.  xiii.  32. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Yea,  I  have  loved  thee  with  an  everlasting  love ;  there- 
fore, have  I  drawn  thee  to  myself,  taking  pity  on  thee. 
(Jer.  xxxi.  3.) 

.  We  have  seen  Him  despised,  and  the  most  abject  of 
men;  a  man  of  sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  infirmity, 
Surely  He  hath  borne  our  infirmities,  and  carried  our  sor- 
rows ;  and  we  have  thought  Him,  as  it  were,  a  leper,  and 
as  one  struck  by  God  and  afflicted.  He  was  wounded  for 
our  iniquities,  He  was  bruised  for  our  sins ;  the  chastise- 
ment for  our  peace  was  upon  Him,  and  by  his  bruises  we 
are  healed.  All  we  like  sheep  had  gone  astray,  every  one 
had  turned  into  his  own  way ;  and  the  Lord  hath  laid  upon 
Him  the  iniquity  of  us  all.  He  was  offered  because  it 
was  his  own  will,  and  He  opened  not  his  mouth.  He 
shall  be  led  as  a  sheep  to  the  slaughter,  and  shall  be 
dumb  as  a  lamb  before  his  shearer,  and  He  shall  not  open 
his  mouth.  He  is  cut  off"  out  of  the  land  of  the  living ; 
for  the  wickedness  of  my  people  have  I  struck  Him.  The 
Lord  was  pleased  to  bruise  Him  in  infirmity ;  He  shall 
lay  down  his  life  for  sin.  He  shall  justify  many,  and 
shall  bear  their  iniquities.     (Isa.  liii.  3 — IL) 

Dearly  beloved,  Christ  suffered  for  us,  who  did  no  sin, 


THE    DEATH    OF    CHRIST.  259 

neither  was  guile  found  in  his  mouth ;  who,  when  he  was 
reviled,  did  not  revile ;  when  he  sufiered,  he  threatened 
not,  but  delivered  himself  to  him  that  judged  him  unjustly ; 
who  his  own  self  bore  our  sins  in  his  body  upon  the  tree, 
that  we,  being  dead  to  sins,  should  live  to  justice;  by 
whose  stripes  you  were  healed.     (1  Pet.  ii.  21 — 24.) 

Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law, 
being  made  a  curse  for  us ;  for  it  is  written  :  Cursed  is  every 
one  that  hangeth  upon  a  tree.  (Ga/.  iii.  13.)  Christ  under- 
went the  cross,  suffering  the  shame  thereof.  (^Heb.  xii.  2.) 
He  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  to  the  death  of  the 
cross.  For  which  cause  God  also  exalted  Him,  and  hath 
given  Him  a  name,  which  is  above  every  name.  (Phil.  ii. 
8,9.) 

Can  a  woman  forget  her  infant,  so  as  not  to  have  pity 
on  the  son  of  her  womb  1  and  if  she  should  forget,  yet 
will  not  I  forget  thee ;  behold,  I  have  graven  thee  in  my 
hands,  (Isa.  xlix.  15.)  Because  in  Him  it  hath  well 
pleased  that  all  fulness  should  dwell ;  and  through  Him  to 
reconcile  all  things  unto  himself,  making  peace  through  the 
blood  of  his  cross,  both  as  to  the  things  that  are  on  earth, 
and  the  things  that  are  in  heaven.  Blotting  out  the  hand- 
writing of  the  decree  which  was  against  us,  which  was 
contrary  to  us ;  and  the  same  He  took  out  of  the  way,  fast- 
ening it  to  the  cross.  (2  Col.  i.  12,  20.  ii.  14.)  You  are 
Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's  ;  you  are  not  your  own  :  for 
you  have  been  purchased  with  a  great  price.  (1  Cor.  iii. 
23.  vi.  19.)  How  shall  we  escape,  if  we  neglect  so  great 
a  salvation  !     (Heb.  ii.  3.) 


260    CHRIST,  WHO   HATH    OVERCOME    THE    WORLD 


CHRIST,  WHO  HATH  OVERCOME  THE  WORLD. 

In  the  world  you  shall  have  distress ;  but  have 

confidence :  I  have  overcome  the  world.     St.  John 

xvi.  33. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  kis  disciples^  in  Ids  discourse 
on  the  eve  of  fiis  passion. 

You  are  of  God,  little  children,  and  have  overcome  the 
world ;  because  greater  is  He  that  is  in  you,  than  he  that 
is  in  the  world.  (1  John  iv.  4.)  Love  not  the  world,  nor 
those  things  which  are  in  the  world.  If  any  man  love  the 
world,  the  charity  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him  ;  for  all  that 
is  in  the  world,  is  the  concupiscence  of  the  flesh,  and  the 
concupiscence  of  the  eyes,  and  the  pride  of  life  ;  which  is 
not  of  the  Father,  but  is  of  the  world.  And  the  world 
passeth  away,  and  the  concupiscence  thereof:  but  he  that 
doeth  the  will  of  God,  abideth  forever.  (1  Johnii,  15 — 17.) 

I  beseech  you  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mercy  of  God, 
that  you  present  your  bodies  a  living  sacrifice,  holy 
pleasing  to  God,  your  reasonable  service.  And  be  not 
conformed  to  this  world,  but  be  reformed  in  the  newness 
of  your  mind ;  that  you  may  prove  what  is  the  good,  and 
the  acceptable,  and  the  perfect  will  of  God.  (Rom.  xii.  1,  2.) 

Whosoever  is  born  of  God  overcometh  the  world;  and 
this  is  the  victory  that  overcometh  the  world,  even  our 
faith!  (1  Joh7i  v.  4.)  And  thanks  be  to  God  who  giveth 
us  the  victory,  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  (1  Cor.  xv. 
57.)  by  whom  the  world  is  crucified  to  me,  and  I  to  the 
world.  (Gal.  vi.  14.)  What  shall  we  say,  then  1  If  God 
be  for  us,  who  is  against  us  1  In  all  things  we  overcome, 
because  of  Him  that  hath  loved  us;  (Rom.  viii.  31 — 37.) 
and  He  will  keep  the  feet  of  his  saints,  because  no  man 


CHRIST,  WHO    HATH    OVERCOME    THE    WORLD.    261 

can  prevail  by  his  own  strength ;  (1  Sam.  ii.  9.)  for  man 
prevai]eth  not  by  might  and  power,  but  by  my  spirit,  saith 
the  Lord  of  Hosts.     (Zac/i.  Hi.  6.) 

He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 
to  the  churches  : — 

To  him  that  overcometh,  I  will  give  the  hidden  manna ; 
and  I  will  give  him  a  white  stone,  [the  token  of  a  favorable 
suffrage,]  and  on  that  stone  a  new  name,  written,  which 
no  man  knoweth  but  he  that  receiveth  it. 

To  him  that  overcometh,  I  will  give  to  eat  of  the  tree  of 
life,  which  is  in  the  paradise  of  my  God.  He  that  shall  over- 
come, shall  be  clothed  in  a  white  garment;  and  I  will  not 
blot  his  name  out  of  the  book  of  life,  and  I  will  confess 
his  name  before  my  Father,  and  before  his  angels. 

He  that  shall  overcome,  I  will  make  him  a  pillar  in  the 
temple  of  my  God ;  and  he  shall  go  out  no  more ;  and  I 
will  write  upon  him  the  name  of  my  God. 

To  him  that  shall  overcome,  I  will  grant  to  sit  with  me 
in  my  throne;  as  I  also  have  overcome,  and  have  sat 
with  my  Father  in  his  throne. 

He  that  shall  overcome,  I  will  be  his  God,  and  he  shall 
be  my  son;  (Apoc.  ii.  7,  17,  &c.)  behold  I  will  save  him, 
and  will  be  his  God  in  truth  and  justice.     (^Zach.  viii  8.) 

Grace  be  to  you  and  peace  from  God  the  Father,  and  from 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Who  gave  himself  for  our  sins, 
that  He  might  deliver  us  from  this  present  wicked  world, 
according  to  the  will  of  God  and  our  Father;  to  whom  is 
glory  forever  and  ever.    Amen.     (Gal.  i.  3 — 5.) 


262  THE    RESURRECTION    OF    CHRIST. 


THE  RESURRECTION  OF  CHRIST. 

The  Son  of  man  shall  be  delivered  into  the  hands 
of  men,  and  they  shall  kill  him  ;  and  after  that  he 
is  killed,  he  shall  rise  again  the  third  day.  There- 
fore doth  the  Father  love  me,  because  J  lay  down 
my  life,  that  I  may  take  it  again.  No  man  taketh 
it  away  from  me,  but  I  lay  it  down  of  myself ;  and 
I  have  power  to  lay  it  down,  and  I  have  power  to 
take  it  up  again.  Mark  ix.  30.  John  x.  17, 18. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Ye  men  of  Israel,  hear  these  words  ;  Jesus  of  Nazareth, 
whom  you  have  crucified,  God  hath  raised,  having  loosed 
the  sorrows  of  hell  [the  pains  of  death,]  as  it  was  impos- 
sible He  should  be  detained  by  it.  For  David  saith  con- 
cerning Him  ;  I  foresaw  the  Lord  always  before  my  face  ; 
because  He  is  at  my  right  hand,  that  I  may  not  be  moved ; 
for  this  my  heart  hath  been  glad,  and  my  tongue  hath  re- 
joiced ;  moreover,  my  flesh  also  shall  rest  in  hope ;  he- 
cause  thou  wilt  not  leave  my  soul  in  hell,  nor  suffer  thy 
Holy  One  to  see  corruption.  This  Jesus  hath  God  raised 
up  again,  whereof  we  all  are  witnesses.  Being  exalted, 
therefore,  by  the  right  hand  of  God,  and  having  received 
of  the  Father  the  promise  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  He  hath 
poured  forth  this  which  you  see  and  hear.  Therefore,  let 
all  the  house  of  Israel  know  most  assuredly,  that  God 
hath  made  him  Lord  and  Christ,  this  same  Jesus,  whom 
you  have  crucified.     (Acts  ii.  25 — 36.) 

<S7.  Peter,  in  the  sermon  by  which  three  thousand  souls  were 

converted. 

All  we  who  are  baptised  in  Christ  Jesus,  are  baptised 
in  his  death.    For  we  are  buried  together  with  Him  by 


CHRIST,  THE    RESURRECTION    AND   THE    LIFE.     263 

baptism  unto  death ;  that  as  Christ  is  risen  from  the  dead 
by  the  glory  of  the  Father,  so  we  also  may  walk  in  new- 
ness of  life.  For  if  we  have  been  planted  together  in  the 
likeness  of  his  death,  we  shall  also  be  in  the  likeness  of  his 
resurrection.  Knowing  this,  that  our  old  man  is  crucified 
with  Him,  that  the  body  of  sin  may  be  destroyed,  and  that 
we  may  serve  sin  no  longer :  for  he  that  is  dead  is  justified 
from  sin.  Now,  if  we  be  dead  with  Christ,  we  believe 
that  we  shall  live  also  together  with  Christ.  Knowing 
that  Christ,  rising  again  from  the  dead,  dieth  now  no  more ; 
death  shall  no  more  have  dominion  over  Him.  For  in  that 
He  died  to  sin,  He  died  once ;  but  in  that  He  liveth.  He  liveth 
unto  God.  So  do  you  also  reckon  yourselves  to  be  dead, 
indeed,  to  sin,  but  alive  to  God  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 
(JRom.  vi.  3' — 11.) 


CHRIST,  THE  RESURRECTION  AND  THE  LIFE. 

I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life;  he  that  he- 
lieveth  in  me,  although  he  be  dead,  shall  live,  and 
every  one  that  liveth,  and  believeth,  shall  not  die 
forever.     St.  John  xi.  25,  26. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  Martha. 

Blessed  and  holy  is  he  that  hath  part  in  the  first  resur- 
rection ;  over  these  the  second  death  hath  no  power. 
(Apoc.  XX.  6.)  For  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth  ;  and 
in  the  last  day  I  shall  rise  out  of  the  earth ;  and  I  shall  be 
clothed  again  with  my  skin,  and  in  my  flesh  I  shall  see 
my  God,  whom  I  myself  shall  see,  and  my  eyes  shall  be- 
hold, and  not  another ;  this,  my  hope,  is  laid  up  in  my 
bosom.     (Job  xix.  25 — 27.) 

How  shall  we  that   are  dead  to  sin,  live   any  longer 


204      CHRIST,  THE    RESURRECTION    AND   THE    LIFE. 

therein  1  Know  you  not  that  all  we  who  are  baptised  in 
Christ  Jesus,  are  baptised  in  his  death  ]  For  we  are 
buried  together  with  him  by  baptism  unto  death,  that  as 
Christ  is  risen  from  the  dead  by  the  glory  of  the  Father,  so 
we  also  may  walk  in  newness  of  life ;  for  if  we  have  been 
planted  together  in  the  likeness  of  his  death,  in  like  man- 
ner we  shall  be  of  his  resurrection.  Knowing  this,  thai 
our  old  man  is  crucified  with  Him,  that  the  body  of  sin 
may  be  destroyed,  and  that  we  may  serve  sin  no  longer. 
Now,  if  we  be  dead  with  Christ,  we  believe  that  we  shall 
live  also  together  with  Christ ;  knowing  that  Christ  rising 
again  from  the  dead,  dieth  now  no  more,  death  shall  no 
more  have  dominion  over  Him.  For  in  that  he  died  to  sin, 
He  died  once  ;  but  in  that  He  liveth,  He  liveth  unto  God.  So 
do  you  also  reckon  yourselves  to  be  dead,  indeed,  to  sin, 
but  alive  to  God  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord. 

Let  not  sin,  therefore,  reign  in  your  mortal  body,  so  as  to 
obey  the  lusts  thereof;  neither  yield  ye  your  members  as 
instruments  of  iniquity  unto  sin ;  but  present  yourselves 
to  God  as  those  that  are  alive  from  the  dead,  and  your 
members  as  instruments  of  justice  unto  God.  (Rom.  vi. 
2 — 13.)  For  none  of  us  liveth  to  himself,  and  no  man 
dieth  to  himself.  For,  whether  we  live,  we  live  to  the 
Lord ;  or  whether  we  die,  we  die  to  the  Lord.  Therefore, 
whether  we  live,  or  whether  we  die,  we  are  the  Lord's. 
For  to  this  end  Christ  died,  and  rose  again,  that  He  might 
be  Lord  both  of  the  dead  and  of  the  living.  (Rom.  xiv. 
7—9.) 

Therefore,  if  you  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  the 
things  that  a.re  above,  where  Christ  is  sitting  at  the  right 
hand  of  God. — Mind  the  things  that  are  above,  not  the 
things  that  are  on  the  earth  ;  for  you  are  dead,  and  your 
life  is  hidden  with  Christ  in  God.  When  Christ  shall 
appear,  who  is  your  life,  then  shall  you  also  appear  with 


CHRIST,  THE    FRUITS    OF    THEM   THAT    SLEEP.      265 

Him  in  glory.  {Col.  iii.  1 — 4.)  Now  the  God  of  peace, 
who  brought  again  from  the  dead  the  great  pastor  of  the 
sheep,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  the  blood  of  the  everlast- 
ing testament,  make  you  perfect  in  every  good  Vvork,  that 
you  may  do  his  will ;  working  in  you  that  which  is  well 
pleasing  in  his  sight,  through  Jesus  Christ,  to  whom  is 
glory  forever  and  ever.  Amen.     {Heh.  xiii.  20,  21.) 


CHRIST,  THE  FIRST  FRUITS  OF  THEM  THAT 

SLEEP. 

Jesus  said  to  them :  Jill  things  must  needs  be  ful- 
filled which  are  written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  and  in 
the  prophets,  and  in  the  psalms,  concerning  me. 
Then  Jesus  opened  their  understanding,  that  they 
might  understand  the  scriptures.  And  He  said  to 
them:  Thus  it  is  written,  and  thus  it  behoved  Christ 
to  suffer,  and  to  rise  again  from  the  dead  on  the 
third  day^     St.  Luke  xxiv.  44 — 46. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  two  disciples,  on  the 
way  to  Emmaus. 

If  Christ  be  preached  that  He  arose  again  from  the  dead, 
how  do  some  among  you  say,  that  there  is  no  resurrection 
of  the  dead  1  But  if  there  be  no  resurrection  of  the  dead, 
then  Christ  is  not  risen  again  ;  and  if  Christ  be  not  risen 
again,  then  is  our  preaching  vain,  and  your  faith  is  also 
vain;  yea,  and  we  are  found  false  witnesses  of  God,  be- 
cause we  have  given  testimony  against  God,  that  He  hath 
raised  up  Christ,  whom  He  hath  not  raised  up,  if  the  dead 
rise  not  again.  For  if  the  dead  rise  not  again,  neither  is 
Christ  risen  again ;  and  if  Christ  be  not  risen  again,  your 
faith  is  vain :  for  you  are  yet  in  your  sins.     Therefore, 

22 


266     CHRIST,  THE    FRUITS   OF    THEM   THAT   SLEEP. 

they  also  who  have  slept  in  Christ,  have  perished.  If  in 
this  life  only  we  have  hope  in  Christ,  we  are  of  all  men 
the  most  miserable.  But  now  Christ  is  risen  from  the 
dead,  the  first-fruits  of  them  that  sleep.  For  by  a  man 
came  death,  and  by  a  man  the  resurrection  of  the  dead. 
And  as  in  Adam  all  die,  so  also  in  Christ  all  shall  be  made 
alive.     (1  Cor,  xv.  12—23.) 

Be  it  known  to  you  all,  and  to  all  the  people  of  Israel, 
that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  of  Nazareth,  whom  you  cruci- 
fied, God  hath  raised  from  the  dead,  and  we  are  witnesses 
of  all  things  which  He  did  in  the  land  of  the  Jews  and  in 
Jerusalem,  whom  they  killed,  hanging  Him  upon  a  tree. 
Him  God  raised  up  the  third  day,  and  gave  Him  to  be 
made  manifest ;  and  He  commanded  us  to  preach  to  the 
people,  and  to  testify  that  it  is  He  who  hath  been  appointed 
by  God  to  be  the  judge  of  the  living  and  of  the  dead.  To 
Him  all  the  prophets  give  testimony,  that,  through  His 
name,  all  may  receive  remission  of  sins,  who  believe  in 
Him.     {Ads  x.  34—43.) 

Testimony  of  St  Peter,  before  Cornelius  the  Centurion. 

Grace  unto  you,  and  peace  be  multiplied !  Blessed  be 
the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who,  accord- 
ing to  his  great  mercy,  hath  regenerated  us  unto  a  lively 
hope,  through  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the 
dead,  unto  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  and  undefiled,  and 
that  fadeth  not,  reserved  in  heaven  for  you.  (1  Pet.  i.  2 — 4.) 

Grace  be  unto  you,  and  peace  from  Him,  who  is,  and 
who  was,  and  who  is  to  come — Jesus  Christ,  the  faithful 
witness,  the  first  begotten  of  the  dead  ;  who  hath  loved  us, 
and  washed  us  from  our  sins  in  his  blood.  To  Him  be 
glory  and  empire  forever  and  ever.  Amen.    (Rev.  i.4 — 6.) 


FRUITS    OF    THE    RESURRECTION.  207 


FRUITS  OF  THE  RESURRECTION. 

S^s  the  Father  raiseth  up  the  dead,  and  giveth 
life,  so  the  Son  also  giveth  life  to  whom  He  will. 
John  v.  21. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

And  again  Jesus  said  to  the  Jews :  Amen,  amen  I  say 
unto  you,  that  the  hour  cometh,  and  now  is,  when  the  dead 
shall  hear  the  voice  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  and  they  that  hear 
shall  live.  For  as  the  Father  hath  life  in  Himself,  so  He 
hath  given  to  the  Son  also  to  have  life  in  himself:  and 
He  hath  given  him  authority  to  execute  judgment,  because 
He  is  the  Son  of  man.  Wonder  not  at  this ;  for  the  hour 
cometh,  wherein  all  that  are  in  their  graves  shall  hear  the 
voice  of  the  Son  of  God ;  and  they  that  have  done  good, 
shall  come  forth  unto  the  resurrection  of  life ;  but  they 
that  have  done  evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of  judgment. 
(John  V.  25—29.) 

But  some  man  will  say;  How  do  the  dead  rise  again! 
or  with  what  manner  of  body  shall  they  come  1  Senseless 
man,  that  which  thou  sowest,  is  not  quickened,  except  it 
die  first.  And  that  which  thou  sowest,  ihou  sowest  not 
the  body  that  shall  be  ;  but  bare  grain,  as  of  wheat,  or  of 
some  of  the  rest.  (1  Cor.  xv.  35 — 37.)  Amen,  amen  I  say 
to  you,  unless  the  grain  of  wheat  falling  into  the  ground, 
die,  itself  remaineth  alone.  But  if  it  die,  it  bringeth  forth 
much  fruit.     (John  xii.  24,  25.) 

And  you  were  dead  in  your  offences  and  sins,  wherein 
in  time  past  you  walked  according  to  the  course  of  this 
world,  according  to  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air,  of 
the  spirit  that  now  worketh  on  the  children  of  unbelief. 


268  ASCENSION   OF    CHRIST. 

In  which  we  all  conversed  in  time  past  in  the  desires 
of  our  flesh,  fulfilling  the  will  of  the  flesh  and  of  our 
thoughts,  and  were  by  nature  children  of  wrath,  even  as 
the  rest.  But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  of  his  exceeding 
charity  wherewith  He  loved  us,  even  when  we  were  dead 
in  sins,  hath  quickened  us  together  in  Christ,  (by  whose 
grace  you  are  saved,)  and  hath  raised  us  up  together, 
and  hath  made  us  sit  together  in  the  heavenly  places 
through  Christ  Jesus.  That  He  might  show  in  the  ages 
to  come  the  abundant  riches  of  his  grace,  in  his  bounty 
towards  us  in  Christ  Jesus.     (Eph.  ii.  1 — 7.) 


ASCENSION  OF  CHRIST. 

Go  to  my  brethren,  and  say  to  them. ;  I  ascend 

to  my  Father  and  to  your  Father,  to  my  God  and 

your  God,     St.  John  xx.  17. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  Mary  Magdalen,  when  he 
appeared  to  her  in  the  garden. 

CnnisT  hath  ascended  above  the  heavens,  that  He  might 
fulfil  all  things.  {Eph.  iv.  10.)  Who  shall  ascend  into  the 
mountain  of  the  Lord,  or  who  shall  stand  in  his  holy 
place  '?  Lift  up  your  gates,  O  ye  princes,  and  be  ye  lifted 
up,  O  eternal  gates,  and  the  King  of  Glory  shall  enter  in. 
Who  is  this  King  of  Glory  1  The  Lord  who  is  strong  and 
mighty ;  the  Lord  mighty  in  battle.  Lift  up  your  gates, 
O  ye  princes,  and  be  ye  lifted  up,  O  eternal  gates,  and  the 
King  of  Glory  shall  enter  in.  Who  is  this  King  of  Glory  1 
The  Lord  of  hosts  He  is  the  King  of  Glory.  (Ps.  xxiii. 
3_10.)  The  chariot  of  God  is  attended  by  ten  thousand 
thousands  of  them  that  rejoice.    Thou  hast  ascended  on 


ASCENSION    OF    CHRIST.  269 

high;  Thou  hast  led  captivity  captive,  Thou  hast  received 
gifts  in  men.     (Ps.  Ixvii.  18,  19.) 

We  ourselves  also  were  sometime  unwise,  incredulous, 
erring,  slaves  to  divers  desires  and  pleasures,  living  in 
malice  and  envy,  hateful,  and  hating  one  another.  Bat 
when  the  goodness  and  kindness  of  our  Saviour  God  ap- 
peared, not  by  the  works  of  justice  which  we  have  done, 
but  according  to  his  mercy,  He  saved  us,  by  the  laver  of 
regeneration,  and  by  the  renovation  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
whom  He  hath  poured  forth  upon  us  abundantly,  through 
Jesus  Christ  our  Saviour ;  that  being  justified  by  his 
grace,  we  may  be  heirs  according  to  the  hope  of  life  ever- 
lasting.    (TiV.  iii.  3 — 7.) 

We  all  conversed  in  time  past,  in  the  desires  of  our 
flesh,  fulfilling  the  will  of  the  flesh  and  of  our  thoughts, 
and  were  by  nature  the  children  of  wrath,  even  as  the  rest. 
But  God,  who  is  rich  in  mercy,  through  his  exceeding 
charity  with  which  He  loved  us,  even  when  we  were  dead 
in  sins,  hath  quickened  us  together  in  Christ  (by  whose 
grace  you  are  saved,)  and  hath  raised  us  up  together ;  and 
hath  made  us  sit  together  in  the  heavenly  places,  in  Christ 
Jesus  ;  that  He  might  show  in  the  ages  to  come  the 
abundant  riches  of  his  grace,  in  goodness  upon  us  in 
Christ  Jesus.  For  by  grace  you  are  saved  through  faith, 
and  this  not  of  yourselves,  for  it  is  the  gift  of  God  ;  not  of 
works,*  that  no  man  may  glory.     {Eph.  ii.  3 — 9.) 

Evidently  great  is  the  mystery  of  godliness,  which  was 
manifested  in  the  flesh,  was  justified  in  the  Spirit,  appeared 
to  angels,  hath  been  preached  to  the  Gentiles,  is  believed 
in  the  world,  is  taken  up  into  glory.     (1  Tim.  iii.  16.) 

*  Not  of  works,  as  of  our  own  growth,  or  from  ourselves ;  but  as 
from  the  grace  of  God. 


23 


« 


270        CHRIST,  AT   THE    RIGHT    HAND   OF    GOD. 


CHRIST,  AT  THE  RIGHT  HAND  OF  GOD,  IN 

GLORY. 

iVas  not  Christ  to  snffer  these  things,  and  so  to 

enter  into  his  glory.     St.  Luke  xxiv.  26. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  two  disciples,  on  the  way 

to  Emmaus. 

Father,  the  hour  is  come ;  glorify  thy  Son,  that 
thy  Son  may  glorify  Thee.  J  have  glorified  Thee 
upon  the  earth ;  /  have  finished  the  work  which 
Thou  gavest  me  to  do;  and  now  glorify  Thou  me, 
O  Father,  with  Thyself,  with  the  glory  which  I  had 
with  Thee,  before  the  world  was.  St.  John  xvii. 
1—5. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  in  his  prayer  for  his  disciples, 
on  the  eve  of  his  passion. 

Akd  when  Christ  had  said  these  things,  while  they 
looked  on,  He  was  raised  up  ;  and  a  cloud  received  Him 
out  of  their  sight.  And  while  they  were  beholding  Him 
going  up  to  heaven,  behold  two  men  stood  by  them  in 
white  garments,  who  said  ;  Ye  men  of  Galilee,  why  stand 
you  looking  up  to  heaven  1  This  Jesus  who  is  taken  up 
from  you  into  heaven,  shall  so  come  as  you  have  seen 
Him  going  into  heaven.     (Acts  i.  9 — 12.) 

Whom  heaven  indeed  must  receive  until  the  times  of 
the  restitution  of  all  things,  which  God  hath  spoken  by  the 
mouth  of  his  holy  prophets,  from  the  beginning  of  the 
world.  {Acts  iii.  21.)  Christ  Jesus  died,  yea  He  is 
risen  also  again  ;  He  is  at  the  right  hand  of  God,  and 
maketh  intercession  for  us.  (Rom.  viii.  34.)  God  hath 
raised  Him  up  from  the  dead,  and  hath  set  Him  on  his 
right  hand  in  the  heavenly  places.  Above  all  principality, 


CHRIST,  AT    THE    RIGHT    HAND    OF    GOD.  271 

and  power,  and  virtue,  and  dominion,  and  every  name  that 
is  named  not  only  in  this  world,  but  also  in  that  which  is 
to  come.  And  He  hath  subjected  all  things  under  his  feet; 
and  hath  made  Him  head  over  all  the  church.  {Eph.  i. 
20—22.) 

Christ  being  the  brightness  of  his  glory,  and  the  figure 
of  his  substance,  and  upholding  all  things  by  the  word  of 
his  power,  making  purgation  of  sins,  sitteth  at  the  right 
hand  of  the  Majesty  on  high  ;  being  made  so  much  better 
than  the  Angels,  as  He  hath  inherited  a  more  excellent 
name  than  they.  For  to  which  of  the  Angels  hath  He 
said  at  any  time  ;  Thou  art  my  son,  to-day  have  I  begotten 
theel  and  again;  I  will  be  to  him  a  father,  and  he  shall 
be  to  me  a  son.  And  again  when,  he  bringeth  in  the  first 
begotten  into  the  world  He  saith;  And  let  all  the  angels 
of  God  adore  him.  And  to  the  angels  He  saith;  He  that 
maketh  his  angels,  spirits  ;  and  his  ministers  a  flame  of 
fire ;  but  to  the  son :  Thy  throne,  0  God,  is  forever  and 
ever ;  a  sceptre  of  justice  is  the  sceptre  of  thy  kingdom. 
And  to  which  of  the  angels  said  he  at  any  time ;  Sit  on  ray 
right  hand  until  I  make  thine  enemies  thy  footstool.  {Heh. 
i.  3 — 13.)  We  who  have  been  witness  of  the  sufferings 
of  Christ,  shall  also  be  partakers  of  the  glory  which  shall 
be  revealed  in  time  to  come.  And  the  God  of  all  grace, 
who  hath  called  us  unto  his  eternal  glory,  in  Christ  Jesus, 
after  you  have  suffered  a  little,  will  Himself  perfect  )'ou, 
and  confirm  you,  and  establish  you.  To  Him  be  glory 
and  empire  forever  and  ever.   Ameu.    ( 1  Pet.  v.  1,  It,  1 1 .) 


272  THE    SECOND   COMING   OF    CHRIST. 


THE  SECOND  COMING  OF  CHRIST. 

The  hour  cometh,  wherein  all  that  are  in  the  grave 
shall  hear  the  voice  of  the  Son  of  GocL  And  they 
that  have  done  good  shall  come  forth  unto  the  resur- 
rection of  life,  hut  they  that  have  done  evil,  unto  the 
resurrection  of  judgment.  St.  John  v.  28,  29. 
Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  the  Jews. 

Blow  ye  the  trumpet  in  Sion ;  sound  an  alarm  in  my 
holy  mountain  ;  let  all  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  tremble  : 
because  the  day  of  the  Lord  cometh,  because  it  is  nigh  at 
hand.  A  day  of  darkness  and  of  gloominess,  a  day  of 
clouds  and  whirlwinds.  The  Lord  hath  uttered  his  voice  ; 
the  day  of  the  Lord  is  great  and  very  terrible :  and  who 
can  abide  it !  (Joel  ii.  1,  2,  11.)  Behold  He  cometh,  sailh 
the  Lord  of  Hosts  :  and  who  shall  be  able  to  think  of  the 
day  of  his  coming  1  and  who  shall  stand  to  see  Him  1  for 
He  is  like  a  refining  fire.     {Mai.  iii.  2,  3.) 

And  I  saw,  when  the  angel  had  opened  the  sixth  seal, 
and  behold,  there  was  a  great  earthquake,  and  the  sun 
became  black  as  sackcloth  of  hair ;  and  the  whole  moon 
became  as  blood ;  and  the  stars  from  heaven  fell  upon  the 
earth,  as  the  fig-tree  casteth  its  green  figs  when  it  is  shaken 
by  a  ^reat  wind.  And  the  heaven  departed  as  a  scroll 
that  is  folded  up ;  and  every  mountain,  and  the  islands 
were  moved  out  of  their  places.  And  the  kings  of  the 
earth,  and  the  princes,  and  tribunes,  and  the  rich,  and  the 
strong,  and  every  bond-man,  and  every  free-man,  hid  them- 
selves in  the  dens  and  in  the  rocks  of  mountains.  And 
they  say  to  the  mountains  and  the  rocks ;  Fall  upon  us, 
and  hide  us  from  the  face  of  Him  that  sitteth  upon  the 
throne,  and  from  the  wrath  of  the  lamb  I  for  the  great  day 


THE    SECOND   COMING   OF   CHRIST.  273 

of  their  wrath  is  come,  and  who  shall  be  able  to  stand? 
(Apoc.  vi.  12 — 17.) 

Alas  !  who  shall  live  when  God  shall  do  these  things. 
(Nmn.  xxiv.  23.)  The  heavens  which  now  are,  and  the 
earth,  are  reserved  unto  fire  against  the  day  of  judgment, 
and  the  perdition  of  wicked  men.  The  day  of  the  Lord 
shall  come  as  a  thief,  in  which  the  heavens  shall  pass 
away  with  great  violence,  and  the  elements  shall  be  melted 
with  heat,  and  the  earth,  and  the  works  that  are  in  it,  shall 
be  burnt  up.  Seeing,  then,  that  all  these  things  are  to  be 
dissolved,  what  manner  of  people  ought  you  to  be  in  holy 
conversation  and  godliness  ;  looking  for  and  hasting  unto 
the  coming  of  the  day  of  the  Lord,  by  which  the  heavens 
being  on  fire  shall  be  dissolved,  and  the  elements  shall 
melt  with  the  burning  heat  of  fire.  But  we  look  for  new 
heavens  and  a  new  earth,  according  to  the  promise. 

Wherefore,  dearly  beloved,  waiting  for  these  things,  be 
diligent  that  you  may  be  found  before  Him  unspotted  and 
blameless ;  and  account  the  long-sufiering  of  our  Lord 
salvation.     (2  Pet  in.  7 — 15.) 

The  Lord  himself  shall  come  down  from  heaven  with 
commandment,  and  with  the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and 
with  the  trumpet  of  God ;  and  the  dead,  who  are  in  Christ, 
shall  rise  first.  Then  we  who  are  alive  who  are  left,  shall 
be  caught  up  together  with  them  in  the  clouds,  to  meet 
Christ  in  the  air,  and  so  shall  we  be  always  with  the  Lord. 
Wherefore  comfort  ye  one  another  with  these  words. 
(1  Tkess.  iv.  14 — 17.)  And  now,  little  children,  abide  in 
Him  ;  that,  when  He  shall  appear,  we  may  have  confi- 
dence, and  not  be  confounded  by  Him  at  his  coming. 
(1  Jo/m  ii.  28.)  And  may  the  Lord  confirm  your  hearts 
without  blame,  in  holiness  before  God  our  Father,  at  the 
coming  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  with  all  his  saints.  Amen. 
(1  Thess.  iil  13.) 


274  CHRIST   THE    JUDGE. 


CHRIST,  THE  JUDGE  OF  THE   LIVING  AND  THE 

DEAD. 

You  shall  see  the  Son  of  man  sifting  on  the  right 
hand  of  the  power  of  God,  and  coming  with  the 
clouds  of  heaven.     St.  Mark  xiv.  62. 

Words  of  Jesus  Christ  to  the  high  priest. 

Behold,  the  Lord  cometh  with  thousands  of  his  saints, 
to  execute  judgment  upon  all,  and  to  reprove  all  the  im- 
pious for  all  the  works  of  their  impiety,  whereby  they 
have  done  impiously,  and  for  all  the  hard  things  which 
impious  sinners  have  spoken  against  God.  (Judei.  14, 15.) 
Behold,  He  cometh  with  the  clouds,  and  every  eye  shall 
see  Him,  and  they  also  that  pierced  Him.  And  all  the  tribes 
of  the  earth  shall  bewail  themselves  because  of  Him.  Even 
so.  Amen.  (Apoc.  i.  7.)  And  I  saw  a  great  white  throne,  and 
and  Him  that  sat  upon  it,  from  whose  presence  the  earth  and 
heaven  fled  away,  and  there  was  no  place  found  for  them. 
And  I  saw  the  dead,  great  and  small,  standing  before  the 
throne,  and  the  books  were  opened,  and  another  book  was 
opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life ;  and  the  dead  were  judged 
by  those  things  which  were  written  in  the  books,  according 
to  their  works.  And  the  sea  gave  up  the  dead  that  were 
in  it ;  and  death  and  hell  gave  up  their  dead,  that  were  in 
them;  and  they  were  judged  everyone  according  to  his 
works.  And  hell  and  death  were  cast  into  the  pool  of  fire. 
This  is  the  second  death.  And  whosoever  was  not  found 
written  in  the  book  of  life,  was  cast  into  the  pool  of  fire. 
And  I  saw,  and  behold,  a  white  cloud,  and  upon  the  cloud 
One  sitting  like  to  the  Son  of  man,  having  on  his  head  a 
golden  crown,  and  in  his  hand  a  sharp  sickle.  And  an- 
other angel  came  out  of  the  temple,  crying  with  a  loud 


CHRIST,  THE    JUDGE.  275 

voice  to  Him  that  sat  upon  the  cloud ;  Put  to  thy  sickle, 
and  reap,  because  the  hour  is  come  to  reap  ;  for  the  har- 
vest of  the  earth  is  ripe.  And  He  that  sat  on  the  cloud, 
put  his  sickle  to  the  earth,  and  the  earth  was  reaped.  And 
another  angel  came  out  of  the  temple,  which  is  in  heaven, 
he  also  having  a  sharp  sickle.  And  another  angel  came 
out  from  the  altar,  and  he  cried  with  a  loud  voice  to  Him 
that  had  the  sharp  sickle,  saying ;  Put  to  thy  sharp  sickle, 
and  gather  the  clusters  of  the  vineyard  of  the  earth ;  be- 
cause the  grapes  thereof  are  ripe.  And  the  angel  put  his 
sharp  sickle  to  the  earth,  and  gathered  the  vineyard  of  the 
earth,  and  cast  it  into  the  great  wine  press  of  the  wrath 
of  God.     (Apoc.  XX.  11 — 15.  xxi.  14 — 19.) 

V/hen  the  Son  of  Man  shall  come  in  his  majesty,  and 
all  the  angels  with  Him,  then  shall  He  sit  upon  the  seat  of 
his  majesty.  And  all  nations  shall  be  gathered  together 
before  Him,  and  he  shall  separate  them  one  from  another, 
as  the  shepherd  separateth  the  sheep  from  the  goats  ;  and 
He  shall  set  the  sheep  on  his  right  hand,  but  the  goats  on 
his  left.  Then  shall  the  king  say  to  them  that  shall  be  on 
his  right  hand ;  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  possess 
the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the 
world.  For  I  was  hungrj',  and  you  gave  me  to  eat,  I  was 
thirsty,  and  you  gave  me  to  drink,  I  was  a  stranger,  and 
you  took  me  in ;  naked,  and  you  clothed  me ;  sick,  and 
you  visited  me;  I  was  in  prison,  and  you  came  to  me. 
Then  shall  the  just  answer  him,  saying ;  Lord,  when  did 
we  see  Thee  hungry,  and  feed  Thee;  thirsty,  and  gave 
Thee  drink  1  And  when  did  we  see  Thee  a  stranger,  and 
took  Thee  in ;  or  naked,  and  clothed  Thee  1  Or  when  did 
we  see  Thee  sick  or  in  prison,  and  came  to  Thee  1  And 
the  king  answering,  shall  say  to  them;  Amen,  I  say  to 
you,  as  long  as  you  did  it  to  one  of  these  my  least  brethren, 
you  did  it  to  me.     Then  shall  He  say  to  them  also  that 


276  HEAVEN. 

shall  be  on  his  left  hand ;  Depart  from  me,  you  cursed,  into 
everlasting  fire,  which  was  prepared  for  the  devil  and  his 
angels.  For  I  was  hungry,  and  you  gave  me  not  to  eat ; 
I  was  thirsty,  and  you  gave  me  not  to  drink;  I  was  a 
stranger,  and  you  took  me  not  in;  naked,  and  you  clothed 
me  not ;  sick,  and  in  prison,  and  you  did  not  visit  me. 
Then  shall  they  also  answer  him,  saying ;  Lord,  when  did 
we  see  Thee  hungry,  or  thirsty,  or  a  stranger,  or  naked, 
or  sick,  or  in  prison,  and  did  not  minister  to  Thee  1  Then 
He  shall  answer  them,  saying;  Amen,  I  say  to  you,  as 
long  as  you  did  it  not  to  one  of  these  least  ones,  neither 
did  you  it  to  me.  And  these  shall  go  into  everlasting 
punishment;  but  the  just,  into  life  everlasting.  (Matt. 
XXV.  31—43.) 


HEAVEN. 

The  kingdorn  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  treasure 
hidden  in  a  field,  which,  when  a  man  hath  founds 
he  hideth  it,  and  for  joy  thereof  goeth  and  selleth 
all  that  he  hath,  and  huyeth  that  field.  Jlgain,  the 
kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  to  a  merchant  seeking 
good  pearls  ;  who,  when  he  had  found  one  pearl  of 
great  price,  went  his  way,  and  sold  all  that  he  had, 
and  bought  it.     Matt.  xiii.  44 — 46. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

FoRMEn  distresses  are  forgotten,  they  are  hidden  from 
thy  eyes.  For  behold,  I  create  new  heavens,  and  a  new 
earth ;  the  former  things  shall  not  be  in  remembrance, 
and  they  shall  not  come  upon  the  heart.  But  you  shall  be 
glad  and  rejoice  forever  in  these  things,  which  I  create ; 
for  behold,  I  create  Jerusalem  a  rejoicing,  and  the  people 


HEAVEN.  277 

thereof  joy.  And  I  will  rejoice  in  Jerusalem,  and  joy  in 
my  people ;  and  the  voice  of  weeping  shall  no  more  be 
heard  in  her,  nor  the  voice  of  crying.  My  elect  shall  not 
have  labored  in  vain.     (Isa.  Ixv.  16 — 19.) 

My  heart  hath  been  glad,  and  my  tongue  hath  rejoiced ; 
moreover,  my  flesh  also  shall  rest  in  hope :  because  at 
thy  right  hand  are  delights  even  to  the  end.  (Ps.  xv. 
9,  10.) 

We  see  now  through  a  glass  in  an  obscure  manner; 
but  then  we  shall  see  face  to  face.  (1  Cor.  xiii.  12.)  We 
know,  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  habitation  be  dissolved, 
that  we  have  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not  made  with 
hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens.  For  in  this  also  we  groan, 
desiring  to  be  clothed  upon  with  our  habitation  that  is 
from  heaven ;  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  and  undefiled, 
and  that  cannot  fade,  reserved  in  heaven  for  you.  (2  Car. 
V.  1,  2,  3,  4.) 

And  there  came  one  of  the  seven  angels,  and  spoke 
with  me,  saying ;  Come,  and  I  will  show  thee  the  bride, 
the  wife  of  the  Lamb.  And  he  took  me  up  in  spirit  to  a 
great  and  high  mountain,  and  he  showed  me  the  holy  city 
Jerusalem  coming  down  out  of  heaven  from  God,  having 
upon  it  the  glory  of  God.  And  the  street  of  the  city  was 
pure  gold,  as  it  were  transparent  glass.  And  I  saw  no 
temple  therein;  for  the  Lord  God  Almighty  is  the  temple 
thereof,  and  the  Lamb.  And  the  city  hath  no  need  of  the 
sun,  nor  of  the  moon,  to  shine  in  it.  For  the  glory  of  God 
hath  enlightened  it,  and  the  Lamb  is  the  lamp  thereof. 
And  the  nations  shall  walk  in  the  light  of  it;  and  the 
kings  of  the  earth  shall  bring  their  glory  and  honor  into 
it.  And  the  gates  thereof  shall  not  be  shut  by  day,  for 
there  shall  be  no  night  there ;  and  they  shall  not  need  the 
light  of  the  lamp,  nor  the  light  of  the  sun,  because  the 


278  HELL. 

Lord  God  shall  enlighten  them,  and  they  shall  reign  for- 
ever and  ever. 

I  John,  saw  the  holy  city,  the  new  Jerusalem,  coming 
down  out  of  heaven,  from  God,  prepared  as  a  bride 
adorned  for  her  husband.  An  d  I  heard  a  great  voice  from 
the  throne,  saying;  Behold  the  tabernacle  of  God  with 
men,  and  He  will  dwell  with  them,  and  they  shall  be  his 
people,  and  God  himself  with  them  shall  be  their  God. 
And  God  shall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes ;  and 
death  shall  be  no  more,  nor  mourning,  nor  crying,  nor 
sorrow,  shall  be  any  more:  for  the  former  things  are 
passed  away.  He  that  shall  overcome,  shall  possess 
these  things,  and  I  will  be  his  God,  and  he  shall  be  my 
son.  Blessed  are  they  that  wash  their  robes  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb,  that  they  may  have  a  right  to  the  tree  of 
life,  and  may  enter  in  by  the  gates  into  the  city.  {Apoc. 
xxi.  9.  &c.) 


HELL. 


/  say  to  you,  my  friends  ;  Be  not  afraid  of  them 
that  kill  the  body,  and  after  that  have  no  more  that 
they  can  do.  But  I  will  show  you  whom  ye  shall 
fear  ;  fear  ye  Him  who,  after  he  hath  killed,  hath 
power  to  cast  into  hdl.  Yea,  1  say  to  you,  fear 
Him,     St.  Luke  xii.  4,  5. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

John  the  Baptist  said  to  the  multitude ;  I  indeed  baptize 
you  with  water ;  but  there  shall  come  One  mightier  than 
I,  the  latchet  of  whose  shoes  I  am  not  worthy  to  loose. 
He  shall  baptize  you  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  with  fire : 
whose  fan  is  in  his  hand,  and  He  will  purge  his  floor,  and 


HELL.  279 

will  gather  the  wheat  into  his  barn  ;  but  the  chaff  He  will 
burn  with  unquenchable  fire.     (^Luke  in.  16,  17.) 

They  shall  be  for  an  example  of  the  just  judgment  of 
God,  when  the  Lord  Jesus  shall  be  revealed  from  heaven 
with  the  angels  of  his  power ;  in  a  flame  of  fire  dealing 
vengeance  to  them  who  know  not  God,  and  who  obey  not 
the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Who  shall  suffer 
eternal  punishment  in  destruction,  from  the  face  of  the 
Lord  and  from  the  glory  of  his  power ;  when  He  shall  come 
to  be  glorified  in  his  saints,  and  to  be  made  wonderful  in 
all  them  who  have  believed.     (2  Thess.  i.  7 — 10.) 

Thy  hand  shall  be  found  by  all  thy  enemies,  and  thy 
right  hand  shall  find  out  all  them  that  hate  Thee.  Thou 
shalt  make  them  as  an  oven  of  fire,  in  the  time  of  thy 
anger ;  the  Lord  shall  trouble  them  in  his  wrath,  and  fire 
shall  devour  them.  {Fs.  xx.  9,  10.)  Vengeance  is  mine, 
and  I  will  repay  them  in  due  time ;  the  day  of  destruction 
is  at  hand,  and  the  time  makes  haste  to  come.  I  will  whet 
my  sword  as  the  lightning,  and  my  hand  shall  take  hold 
on  judgment,  I  will  render  vengeance  to  my  enemies,  and 
repay  them  that  hate  me.     (Deut.  xxxii.  35,  41.) 

There  is  no  man  that  can  deliver  out  of  thy  hand ;  (Job 
x.  7.)  this  is  the  second  death.  (Apoc.  xx.  14.)  Thou  hast 
multipliest  thy  wrath  upon  me,  and  pains  war  against  me. 
Why  didst  thou  bring  me  forth  out  of  the  womb  1  O  that 
I  had  been  consumed,  before  I  go  and  return  no  more,  to 
a  land  that  is  dark  and  covered  with  the  mist  of  death ; 
a  land  of  misery  and  of  darkness,  where  the  shadow  of 
death,  and  no  order,  but  everlasting  horror  dwelleth.  (Job 
X.  17—22.) 

And  there  came  down  fire  from  God  out  of  heaven,  and 
devoured  them ;  and  the  devil,  who  seduced  them,  was 
cast  into  the  pool  of  fire  and  brimstone,  where  both  the 
beast  and  the  false  prophet  shall  be  tormented  day  and 


280  LIFE    EVERLASTING. 

night  forever  and  ever.  And  I  saw  a  great  white  throne, 
and  One  sitting  upon  it,  from  whose  face  the  earth  and 
heaven  fled  away,  and  there  was  no  place  found  for  them. 
And  I  saw  the  dead,  great  and  small,  standing  in  the  pre- 
sence of  the  throne,  and  the  books  were  opened;  and 
another  book  was  opened,  which  is  the  book  of  life ;  and 
the  dead  were  judged  by  those  things  which  were  written 
in  the  books,  according  to  their  works.  And  the  sea  gave 
up  the  dead  that  were  in  it,  and  death  and  hell  gave  up 
their  dead  that  were  in  them  ;  and  they  were  judged  every 
one  according  to  their  works.  And  hell  and  death  were 
cast  into  the  pool  of  fire.  This  is  the  second  death.  And 
whosoever  was  not  found  written  in  the  book  of  life,  was 
cast  into  the  pool  of  fire.     {Apoc.  xx.  9 — 15.) 


LIFE  EVERLASTING. 

I  give  them  life  everlasting  ;  they  shall  not  perish  ; 
no  man  shall  snatch  them  out  of  my  hand.  St. 
John  x.  28. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord,  to  the  Jews. 

This  is  the  promise  which  He  hath  promised  to  us, 
eternal  life.  (1  John  ii.  25.)  Now  this  is  eternal  life,  that 
they  may  know  Thee,  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ 
whom  Thou  hast  sent.     (^John  xvii.  3.) 

By  this  hath  the  charity  of  God  appeared  towards  us, 
because  God  hath  sent  his  only  begotten  Son  into  the  world, 
that  we  may  live  by  Him.  And  this  is  the  testimony,  that 
God  hath  given  to  us  eternal  life;  and  this  life  is  in  his 
Son.  He  that  hath  the  Son,  hath  life ;  he  that  hath  not  the 
Son  hath  not  life.    These  things  I  write  to  you,  that  you 


THE   TRUTH   OF   GOD   ENDURETH    FOREVER.      281 

may  know  that  you  have  eternal  life,  you  who  believe  in 
the  name  of  the  Son  of  God.     (1  John  iv.  9.  v.  11 — 13.) 

Fear  not,  little  flock,  for  it  hath  pleased  your  Father  to 
give  you  a  kingdom.  Sell  what  you  possess  and  give 
alms.  Make  to  yourselves  bags,  which  grow  not  old,  a 
treasure  in  heaven  which  faileth  not;  where  no  thief 
approacheth,  nor  moth  corrupteth ;  for  where  your  trea- 
sure is,  there  will  your  heart  be  also.  {Luke  xii.  32 — 34.) 

These  things  are  written  that  you  may  believe  that  Jesus 
is  the  Christ  the  Son  of  God ;  and  that,  believing,  you  may 
have  life  in  his  name.  {John  xx.  31.)  Our  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ  hath  destroyed  death,  and  hath  brought  to  light 
life  and  incorruption  by  the  gospel.     (2  Tim.  i.  10.) 

Blessed  be  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who,  according  to  his  great  mercy,  hath  regenerated  us  unto 
a  lively  hope,  by  the  resurrection  of  Jesus  Christ  from  the 
dead,  unto  an  inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled,  and 
that  cannot  fade,  reserved  in  heaven  for  you.  (1  Pet.  i.  3, 
4.)  You,  therefore,  my  beloved,  building  yourselves  upon 
your  most  holy  faith,  praying  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  keep 
yourselves  in  the  love  of  God,  waiting  for  the  mercy  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  unto  life  everlasting.  {Jude  20, 21.) 


THE  TRUTH  OF  GOD  ENDURETH  FOREVER. 

Heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away,  but  my  word 
shall  not  pass  away.     St.  Luke  xxi.  33. 

Words  of  our  Blessed  Lord  to  his  disciples. 

Jesus  Christ,  yesterday,  and  to-day,  and  the  same  for- 
ever. {Heb.  xiii.  8.) 

O  praise  the  Lord,  all  ye  nations ;  praise  Him,  all  ye 
people ;   for  his    mercy  is  confirmed    upon  us,  and  the 


282     THE    TRUTH    OF    GOD   ENDURETH    FOREVER. 

truth  of  the  Lord  reraaineth  forever.  (Ps.  cxvi.  1,  2.)  For- 
ever, 0  Lord,  thy  word  standeth  firm  in  heaven ;  thy  truth 
unto  all  generations.     (Ps.  cxviii.  8,  9.) 

Behold,  the  Lord  God  shall  come  with  strength,  and  his 
arm  shall  rule;  behold,  his  reward  is  with  Him,  and  his 
work  is  before  Him.  The  glory  of  the  Lord  shall  be 
revealed,  and  all  flesh  together  shall  see  that  the  mouth 
of  the  Lord  hath  spoken.  The  voice  of  one,  said :  ♦  Cry.* 
And  he  said :  'What  shall  I  cryl'  'That  all  flesh  is  grass,  and 
all  the  glory  thereof  as  the  flower  of  the  field ;  the  grass  is 
withered,  and  the  flower  is  fallen,  because  the  Spirit  of  the 
Lord  hath  blown  upon  it :  the  grass  is  withered,  and  the 
flower  is  fallen  :  but  the  word  of  our  Lord  endureth  for- 
ever.' (Is.  xl.  5 — 10.)  Who  hath  wrought  and  done  these 
things  1 — I  the  Lord,  the  first  and  the  last ;  I  am  He. 
(Is.  xli.  4.) 

My  Saviour  is  gone  forth.  Lift  up  your  eyes  to  heaven, 
and  look  down  on  the  earth  beneath  ;  for  the  heavens  shall 
vanish  like  smoke,  and  the  earth  shall  be  worn  away  like 
a  garment ;  and  the  inhabitants  thereof  shall  perish  in  like 
manner,  but  my  salvation  shall  be  forever,  and  my  justice 
shall  not  fail.  (7s.  li.  5,  6.)  You  shall  know  with  all  your 
mind,  that,  of  all  the  words  which  the  Lord  promised  to 
perform  for  you,  not  one  hath  failed.  He  hath  fulfilled  in 
deed  what  He  promised,  and  all  things  prosperous  have 
come.     (Jos.  xxiii.  14,  15.) 

And  the  word  of  the  Lord  came  to  me,  saying :  Son  of 
man,  what  is  the  proverb  that  you  have  in  the  land  of 
Israeli  saying,  'Every  vision  shall  fail.'  Thus  said  the 
Lord  God :  Not  one  word  of  mine  shall  fail ;  the  word  that 
I  speak  shall  be  accomplished,  said  the  Lord  God.  (Eze. 
xii.  21,  28.) 

And  He  that  sat  upon  the  throne  said  ;  Write,  for  these 
words   are.   most   faithful   and   true :     Blessed  is  he  who 


A   PRAYER   FOR    WISDOM.  283 

keepeth  the  words  of  the  prophecy  of  this  book.  I  am 
Alpha  and  Omega,  the  first  and  the  last,  the  beginning  and 
the  end.     (Apoc.  xxii.  6,  7,  13.) 


A   PRAYER 

FOR  THE  WISDOM  THAT  IS  FROM  ABOVE. 

[From  Wisdom,  Chapter  Fifth,  &c.] 

God  of  my  fathers  I  and  Lord  of  mercy  who  hast  made 
all  things  with  thy  word,  and  by  thy  wisdom  hast  ap- 
pointed man  that  he  should  have  dominion  over  the  crea- 
ture that  was  made  by  Thee ;  give  me  Wisdom,  that 
sitteth  by  thy  throne,  and  cast  me  not  off  from  among  thy 
children ;  for  I  am  thy  servant,  and  the  son  of  thy  hand- 
maid, a  weak  man,  and  of  short  duration,  and  falling  short 
of  the  understanding  of  judgment  and  laws. 

If  one  be  perfect  among  the  children  of  men,  yet  if  thy 
Wisdom  be  not  with  him,  he  shall  be  nothing  regarded; 
for  in  Her  is  the  spirit  of  understanding ;  holy,  one,  mani- 
fold, subtile,  eloquent,  active,  undcfiled,  sure,  sweet ;  loving 
that  which  is  good,  quick,  which  nothing  hindereth ;  bene- 
ficent, gentle,  kind,  steadfast,  assured,  secure,  having  all 
power,  overseeing  all  things,  and  containing  all  spirits ; 
intelligent,  pure,  subtile.  For  Wisdom  is  more  active  than 
all  active  things,  and  reacheth  every  where  by  reason  of 
her  purity.  For  She  is  a  vapor  of  the  power  of  God,  and 
a  certain  pure  emanation  of  the  glory  of  the  almighty 
God  ;  and  therefore,  no  defiled  thing  cometh  into  Her ;  for 
She  is  the  brightness  of  eternal  light,  and  the  unspotted 
mirror  of  God's  majesty,  and  the  image  of  his  goodness. 
And  being  but  one.  She  can  do  all  things ;  and  remaining 
in  Herself  the  same,  she  reneweth  all  things  ;  and  convey- 


284  A  PRAYER    FOR   WISDOM. 

ing  Herself  into  holy  souls,  She  maketh  them  friends 
of  God  and  prophets. 

God  loveth  none  but  him  that  dwelleth  with  Wisdom ; 
for  She  is  more  beautiful  than  the  sun,  and  above  all  the 
order  of  the  stars ;  being  compared  with  the  light.  She  is 
found  before  it :  for  after  this  cometh  night ;  but  no  evil 
can  overcome  wisdom.  If  a  man  love  justice,  her  labors 
have  great  virtue ;  for  She  teacheth  temperance,  and  pru- 
dence, and  justice,  and  fortitude,  things  than  which  men 
can  have  nothing  more  profitable  in  life.  I  purposed, 
therefore,  to  take  Her  to  me  to  abide  with  me;  knowing 
that  She  will  communicate  to  me  of  her  good  things,  and 
will  be  a  comfort  in  my  cares  and  grief.  When  I  go  into 
my  house,  I  shall  repose  myself  with  Her ;  for  her  conver- 
sation hath  no  bitterness,  nor  her  company  any  tedious- 
ness,  but  joy  and  gladness. 

Thinking  these  things  with  myself,  and  pondering  in 
my  heart,  that  to  be  allied  to  Wisdom  is  immortality,  and 
that  there  is  great  delight  in  her  friendship,  and  inex- 
haustible riches  in  the  works  of  her  hands,  and  in  the 
exercise  of  conference  with  Her,  and  wisdom  and  glory 
in  the  communication  of  her  words ;  I  went  about  seek- 
ing, that  I  might  take  Her  to  myself. 

Hardly  do  we  guess  aright  at  things  that  are  upon  earth, 
and  with  labor  do  we  find  the  things  that  are  before  us : 
but  the  things  that  are  in  heaven,  who  shall  search  out  1 
And  who  shall  know  thy  though  ^  except  Thou  give  Wis- 
dom, and  send  thy  holy  Spirit  from  above.  Send  Her  out 
of  thy  holy  heaven,  and  from  the  throne  of  thy  majesty, 
that  She  may  be  with  me,  and  may  labor  with  me,  that  I 
may  know  what  is  acceptable  with  Thee :  for  She  knoweth 
and  understandeth  all  things,  and  shall  lead  me  soberly  in 
my  works,  and  shall  preserve  me  by  Her  power. 

Wisdom   is   glorious,  and   never  fadeth  away,  and  is 


A    PRAYER    FOR    WISDOM.  285 

easily  seen  by  them  that  love  Her,  and  is  found  by  them 
that  seek  Her.  She  preventeth  them  that  covet  Her,  so 
that  She  first  showeth  herself  unto  them.  He  that  awaketh 
early  to  seek  Her,  shall  not  labor,  for  he  shall  find  Her 
sitting  at  his  door.  To  think,  therefore,  upon  Her,  is  per- 
fect understanding,  and  he  that  watcheth  for  Her  shall 
quickly  be  secure.  For  She  goeth  about  seeking  such  as 
are  worthy  of  Her ;  and  She  showeth  herself  to  them 
cheerfully  in  the  ways,  and  meeteth  them  with  all  fore- 
thought, yor  the  beginning  of  Her  is  the  most  true  desire 
of  discipline ;  and  the  care  of  discipline  is  love ;  and  love 
is  the  keeping  of  Her  laws ;  and  the  keeping  of  Her  laws 
is  the  firm  foundation  of  incorruptibility ;  and  incorrupti- 
bility bringeth  near  to  God :  therefore,  the  desire  of  Wis- 
dom bringeth  to  the  everlasting  kingdom. 

Who  among  men  is  he  that  can  know  the  counsel  of 
God?  or  who  can  think  what  the  will  of  God  is  1  For  the 
thoughts  of  mortal  men  are  timorous,  and  our  counsels 
uncertain.  And  who  shall  know  thy  thought,  except  Thou 
give  Wisdom,  and  send  thy  holy  Spirit  from  above,  so  that 
the  ways  of  them  that  are  upon  earth  may  be  corrected, 
and  men  may  learn  the  things  that  please  Thee  1  For  by 
wisdom  have  they  been  healed,  whosoever  have  pleased 
thee,  O  Lord,  from  the  beginning. 


PRACTICAL    REFERENCES, 

SUITED    TO    THE    VARIOUS    EXIGENCIES,  AND    SPIRITUAL 
WANTS   OF   THE   FAITHFUL. 


PAGE 

For  an  increase  of  Faith 75 — 83 

Hope, 86 

Charity, ...88—96 

For  the  attainment  of  the  grace  of  God, 100 — 103 

love  of  God, 90,  92 

fear  of  God, 223 

For  a  sense  of  the  Divine  presence, 193,  196,  200 

spiritual  mindedness, 205 

a  spirit  of  meekness, 74 

patience, 176,  177 

humility, 144 

gratitude, 136 

resignation  to  the  Divine  will, 193 

watchfulness  and  prayer, 108,  110 

Counsels  on  the  government  of  the  tongue, 159 

'  zeal  without  knowledge,' 67 

against  trusting  in  ourselvess, 140,  200 

a  relapse  into  sin, 172 

pride, 140,  144 

spiritual  pride, 253 

presumption, 142 

solicitude  for  the  morrow, 236 

inordinate  affections, 125 

sensuality, 201,  203 

covetousness, 202 

indolence, 110,  238 

love  of  pleasure 181 

(287) 


288  PRACTICAL   REFERENCES. 

PAGE 

Counsels  against  impatience, 176,  177 

anger, 126,  192 

desire  of  revenge, 104,  121,  133 

uncharitableness  to  our  neiglibor,..92 — 94 

rash  judgment, 107 

the  abuse  of  spiritual  gifts, 179 

Conduct  in  seasons  of  interior  trials, 111,113 

temptation, 110,  111 

affliction, 146 

persecution, 130 

under  the  bereavement  of  friends  by  death,. .  .247 

in  the  temple  of  God 215 

towards  the  ministers  of  God, 213 

On  purity  of  intention, 155 

self-examination, 223 

confession  of  sins, 219,  225,  227 

lip-service, 197 

serving  two  masters, 194 

the  narrow  way, 201 

the  cross  of  Christ, 189 

self-mortification, 181 

fasting, 183 

the  greater  glory  of  God, 187 

the  force  of  prejudice, 190 

the  .evangelical  counsels, 165 

renouncing  all  for  Christ, 203 

In  penitential  seasons, 146,  174,  181,  183,225,227 

The  Sacraments, 225,  231,  233 

Penance, 174,  222,  225,  227 

the  holy  Eucharist, 231—233 

preparation  for, 222 — 227 

dispositions  after, 224,  250 

Reflections  on  the  misery  of  man, 179 

Death, 242,  244 

Judgment, 274 

Hell, 278 

Heaven, 276 

Eternity, 280 


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